Craig Lancaster (2)

After reading Edward Adrift and 600 Hours of Edward, I was trying to get my hands on anything written by Craig Lancaster. While listening to The Summer Son, I realized Lancaster's true strength as a writer.

Lancaster displays a similar writing style to Carson McCullers..tough, dark, and at times, harsh. Like Carson McCullers, he is passively descriptive one moment, and the next moment, is up and in your face.

The Summer Son is the age-old Father/Son story written from a fresh and unheard show more perspective. It is the story of a boy who grew up with a father, but never had a dad. Lancaster writes of the heavy- hearted consequences men endure who live with unresolved father/son dysfunction.

The story goes back and forth between childhood and adulthood, and flows as smooth as hot butter. The father's life unfolds for us slowly, slowly.. until we start getting glimpses of the man he was, and the man he is now. A man made of old worn out leather, but reaching out for a last chance.

The ending is unexpected, and just a class act. This book isn't sad, and it's not depressing...but it does have a bite. It will linger in your mind. show less

Craig Lancaster is the master of character-driven fiction. His writing feels effortless, though I know it's anything but. From the very first page, I was pulled into the world of Mitch Quillen, a man whose troubled relationship with his father has clouded every aspect of his adult life. He searches for answers, confronting his father and reliving his past. I was swept along with him, pulled by the power of Lancaster's words.

This book will make you feel and make you care. To the very last show more page - and an ending that will blow you away - Lancaster will hold you captive.

** I was lucky to receive an ARC of The Summer Son. In no way did that alter my review. ** show less

A weekend long slice of life in small town Montana. Instead of conventional dramatic structure here you'll find a montage of completely believable characters re-evaluating what they know of themselves and each other. I couldn't help but speculate beyond the ending and I hope there will be a sequel.

I've been a Craig Lancaster fan ever since I read "600 Hours of Edward" (and can't wait for book 3 of Edward!!!). His latest book simply reinforces my love of the author's writing. Craig Lancaster creates a poignant picture of small town America. The entire plot takes place over the annual Jamboree weekend in a small Midwestern town mainly focusing on one family in particular.
It took me a little to get into this book, as the setting and lots of characters, which all seemed very authentic, show more are introduced. At the beginning, it seems like a light, entertaining story, but stick with it, and by halfway through, it turns into something much darker and deeper. It actually had me in tears at one point. There is a lot going on! And a lot of issues are raised: life and death, gender and race, family and parenting, politics and law enforcement...
This could make a good book for a book club to discuss.
For me, the ending was rather abrupt, as I still wanted to find out what was going to happen to some of the people and needed 'closure' for some of the events that happened. But maybe that way, there could be a sequel?
I received a complimentary copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. show less