The Year It Snowed in April
A Novel
-
-
4.6 • 14 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
Avery Benjamin Clarke is a shy and demure boy, raised in the upper middle class home of his maternal grandparents from the day he was born. He's a straight "A" student and a model child who has never given his family an ounce of trouble. Then one Easter Sunday, his wayward mother, Carla, returns to his grandparents' brownstone. When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Avery is forced to live with Carla permanently. Soon after, his life begins a swift downward spiral as she introduces him to a world of dysfunction and darkness.
As Avery grows into a young man, he is determined to hide the secrets he's accumulated from the world. He struggles to suppress his psychosis and obtain some sense of normalcy in his life. But when the tables are turned yet again, Avery is given crosses no young person should ever have to bear. Will he ultimately delve within himself for the strength and sanity that was stolen from him or will he awaken the monster that has been lurking beneath the surface created by years of suffering and abuse?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This uneven debut novel begins in the heart of the African-American community in Harlem, circa 1983, where Avery Clarke, 13, is living with his grandparents. His mother, Carla, long ago rejected her upwardly mobile family and the responsibilities of motherhood for drugs and alcohol. Avery comes across as too good to be true: a "straight-A student who avoided conflict and never wanted to cause anyone any unnecessary strife or irritation." Then Carla shows up, and concerned that her son may be too sheltered and even gay, she begins having him come over to her apartment for profanity-filled conversations, cigarettes, and pot. At a frankly unbelievable pace, Avery begins cussing his grandparents, getting into fights, and having an incestuous relationship with mom. Melodramatic events pile up, leaving Avery in Carla's care and the abuses subsequently spiral out of control. There is no suspense because it's clear early on that nothing good can come from Avery living with his mother. Despite some good dialogue and a well-drawn Manhattan setting, the story remains unfocused, with too many plot lines.
Customer Reviews
A wonderful story
This book is a true work of art. It is very well written in-spite of being dark and a bit overwhelming. Throughout the story you wanted Avery to succeed but he just could not quite pull it together. Very good book
The Year It Snowed in April
Very great book!!!!!