Syracuse alum and now writing instructor Phil LaMarche's first book, American Youth, is a fast-paced coming-of-age tale spurred by gun violence and the struggles of 14-year old Ted LeClare. The debut earned rave reviews. The Los Angeles Times Book Review called it "Nothing less than a masterpiece; one of the most savagely beautiful, emotionally devastating and accurate readings of what it means to grow up."The untrained or inattentive reader will see an anti-gun commercial, a political statement, perhaps a warning about encroaching fascism on our youth. Anybody who has lived the struggles of characters like Ted LeClare realizes that the book is much more than that: The struggle of rural America that is transforming, in its ethic and its makeup; Ted's struggle to find his identity in this new world; a beautifully-written story in its simplicity.
LaMarche cut 125 pages from the original copy, one of the hardest parts of writing his debut novel, he says. It's bare of the pomposities that characterize some novels and lets his words tell the story rather than become the story itself. The phrase "an easy read" does not mean the story lacks depth or creativity. It is efficient and it is raw and it makes its point without a bludgeon. LaMarche's attention to everyday details puts the reader there and then, feeling many of the things that LeClare did.
For those of you interested, there will be discussion questions up shortly. Discussions of the book will last until Sunday, October 12th. The book can be found in any major book store, including Second Story Books on Westcott Street.
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