Jan Bernard

An engaging coming-of-age story. The town of Greenfield is a classic American backwater town, surrounded by wilds and with a close-knit community. Young Ethan discovers a Labrador dog while out exploring the wilderness with his brother. Worried for the distressed creature, they hurry to the town vet. Soon Ethan has a new wet-nosed companion. Events then come quickly and a series of tragedies strike that leave deep and long-standing wounds. As Ethan tries to come to terms with this set of show more circumstances his horizons begin to broaden when he takes a chance and travels to New York. The city opens up new opportunities for the young man, and these only add complication to issues he has carried with him all the way from Greenfield and the January River.

A reflective tale, that traverses several years, following the main character from boyhood and on to the trials of adulthood. Ever consistent is Jan’s economic prose style, which compliments the pleasing simplicity of the novel. I liked Jan’s treatment of major plot points very much, where, with a touch that seems almost ruthless at times, the narrative is pushed forwards, minimising the potential pitfalls of sentimentality which could plague a novel of this type. Thankfully there is a straightforwardness to Jan’s writing here, and has been common to all the titles I’ve read by him so far. I must add that this is not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but having followed Jan’s output thus far I remain interested to see what he does with anything he attempts.

I particularly like the dynamic between the group of childhood friends and the subtleties of change between them over time. With long timeframes Jan manages to create a believable sense of time passing while the necessary growth of the characters as they mature is handled in a subtle and authentic way. The contrast between small town life and the frenetic pace of a big city is also nicely done. An enjoyable and charming mainstream read, that crosses multiple genres with a light touch. show less

An engaging coming-of-age story. The town of Greenfield is a classic American backwater town, surrounded by wilds and with a close-knit community. Young Ethan discovers a Labrador dog while out exploring the wilderness with his brother. Worried for the distressed creature, they hurry to the town vet. Soon Ethan has a new wet-nosed companion. Events then come quickly and a series of tragedies strike that leave deep and long-standing wounds. As Ethan tries to come to terms with this set of show more circumstances his horizons begin to broaden when he takes a chance and travels to New York. The city opens up new opportunities for the young man, and these only add complication to issues he has carried with him all the way from Greenfield and the January River.

A reflective tale, that traverses several years, following the main character from boyhood and on to the trials of adulthood. Ever consistent is Jan’s economic prose style, which compliments the pleasing simplicity of the novel. I liked Jan’s treatment of major plot points very much, where, with a touch that seems almost ruthless at times, the narrative is pushed forwards, minimising the potential pitfalls of sentimentality which could plague a novel of this type. Thankfully there is a straightforwardness to Jan’s writing here, and has been common to all the titles I’ve read by him so far. I must add that this is not the type of book I’d usually pick up, but having followed Jan’s output thus far I remain interested to see what he does with anything he attempts.

I particularly like the dynamic between the group of childhood friends and the subtleties of change between them over time. With long timeframes Jan manages to create a believable sense of time passing while the necessary growth of the characters as they mature is handled in a subtle and authentic way. The contrast between small town life and the frenetic pace of a big city is also nicely done. An enjoyable and charming mainstream read, that crosses multiple genres with a light touch. show less

This was my first book by Bernard Jan and it will not be my last. There is nothing like reading a book with an animal involved in it for me. A coming of age story that focuses on Ethan and Will, the joys and tribulations they endure growing up in a small town in Nebraska. I was impressed with the way Bernard portrayed the relationship between Ethan and his dog, River. This was an emotional roller coaster for me, one that I am happy I rode. A heartwarming story I thoroughly enjoyed. Jan is a show more masterful storyteller for sure.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Mr. Jan and voluntarily wrote an honest review. show less

Set against the backdrop of 90s New York skate culture, Bernard Jan’s Cruel Summer centres on Michael, young and ambitious with dreams of turning pro. With a contest overseas on the horizon he sets his sights on competing. At home, however, negative forces begin to gather, and soon it becomes apparent that finding a way to take part in the competition is the least of his worries. With a dark past finally catching up with him, and newly revealed threats closing in, Michael struggles to make show more his way through perilous circumstances.

Jan’s sprawling novel presents an evocative portrayal of the era, authentically capturing the quality of the times. The novel takes its time and establishes its characters, giving a genuine account of the turning point from childhood to adulthood. As the central character of Michael progresses and faces the challenges he’s presented with, the secondary characters share their own stories, adding to the sense of lives intertwined by the growing infiltration of oncoming responsibilities. Jan has a poetic sensibility at times, and this is reflected in the character of Michael’s own appreciation for poetry, especially that of Rimbaud. The theme of childhood sexual abuse is tackled, and handled for the most part well, underlining how such toxic behaviours can become a familiar part of a family dynamic. In addition to Michael’s mounting personal problems another factor comes into play, in the form of a sinister organisation whose interests in him are unclear. This aspect of the novel successfully evokes the zeitgeist of the time, giving an X-Files type feel to the narrative.

A compelling narrative, giving an insight into the skate culture of that time and using it as the springboard for a memorable and enjoyable cross-genre novel. show less