One of the few things I will always remember about this long cold winter of homesteading is that I've been able to read more. Coupled with the fact that the library has is literally overrun with new titles, and my newfound interest in contemporary literature, it's was a good post Thanksgiving reading week. Enjoy.
August by Callan Wink
(Random House, 2020)
August. A character title is just about perfect for a novel that attempts to, and pretty masterfully succeeds in, capturing the complete essence of a character's life.
We meet August before he's even born. We meet him the moment his mother decides his name will be August. One's essence doesn't start at birth, it starts when you have a name. Names are powerful in shaping one's character. Now that empty container has a label and something to live up to. This is August's search to discover what being August means.
The novel is written in what almost feels like linear slice of life pieces strung together with scene breaks. They are brought to life with carefully crafted moments that allow the reader to spend time with August. It's a fly on the wall perspective, a camera lens kind of straight forward storytelling in a style that reminds me of many of the late 20th century greats.
It's the kind of book that's not really about anything, because it's really about everything. It's about parents and first relationships, and not understanding what any of it means to a teenager becoming an adult. It's a book that will stay, always wondering how August is doing these day.
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