At seventeen, Michael Daniels dreams of life as a professional skateboarder. Gliding down the bustling streets of New Manhattan, Michael can almost forget about the shambles that is his life. He recently buried his mother, his beloved sister is over a thousand miles away visiting relatives, and his abusive father is more monster than human. Besides skating, he also has his friends to help temper his depressing existence. But at a time when climate change is wrecking the environment, the climate isn’t the only thing changing in New Manhattan. Manipulations, experimentations and violations abound, and Michael is going to see evidence of these firsthand. Tired of the emotional darkness, he finally decides to take a dramatic stand. The bonds of friendship are put to the test as this kaleidoscopic novel reaches its climax.
Cruel Summer by Bernard Jan is a physical manifestation of the ‘square peg in a round hole’ metaphor. It somehow kisses almost every literary genre, but fits exclusively in none. This singular novel features young adult drama, the trauma of cruel abuse, a time-distorted version of New York City, and some adequately mind-blowing twists. The relationships feel authentic, not just with Michael and his friends, but especially between fellow skateboarder Victor and his dying grandmother. There is a fluid, lyrical quality to the prose, adding a sophistication to the story that even the colorful characters cannot match. Another smart touch is the collection of original poems at the end of the book. They really round out an out-of-the-ordinary novel and help magnify the person Michael is. Jan’s writing style provides an unforgettable, trippy reading experience. The pace moves fast and the plot is completely unexpected. Imperfections and all, Cruel Summer is an original and innovative novel that truly knows no bounds.
