Review: Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1ST edition (June 10, 2014)
• ISBN: 9781250019356
• Source: Publisher

Saint Michael’s is a crumbling Catholic high school, both structurally and figuratively.Freshman Peter Davidek’s first experience at the school is of an upperclassman that finally reacts to the abuse he received. On the large part, the faculty ignores the tormenting and torture that exists between the students, instead struggling to maintain their positions in a school in which the student body is a mixture of delinquents and strict, religious students.

Peter quickly finds solace and friendship in Noah Stein, a young man with his own fair share of pain. Noah’s past is a difficult one; his face bearing scars of a horrific family tragedy.  Lorelei Paskal, another incoming freshman, works so hard at making friends that, instead, she makes countless enemies. The only way these three students are going to survive these tumultuous four years is to  band together. Yet even the strongest bonds weaken under pressure. Despite the best of intentions, the only way to survive Saint Michael’s is to stand up for yourself, no matter the damage and consequences.

We all look back on our high school years, some of us more fondly than others. It’s easy to remember our struggles, battling to earn good grades while simultaneously attempting to maintain some position on the social class ladder. As this novel is set in 1991, the very year I started high school, I found a deep connection with these students. This was before social media became the way to torture poor, unknowing souls. The bullying took place in person; you couldn’t avoid those students who chose to harass you. They were around every corner, ready and willing to make each day a living hell.

At over 400 pages, one would think the intensity and pacing of this novel would waver and fall. That is far from the case, for the author excels and maintaining an intense pacing through differing storylines and conflicts. The plot twists varied, some obvious and others completely shocking and unexpected.

The setting was perfect. While this could have happened in any school, but the fact that it was a parochial school makes the entire situation more devastating. The students couldn’t turn to the faculty who, in this case chose to avoid what was happening before their eyes. Their veiled attempts to improve the quality of life for students was all in vain. Instead, it worsened the relationships between students. Rather than nip the problems in the bud, the faculty allowed it, believing that upperclassman earned the right to torture the underclassmen.

Other reviews have commented on the lack of development of the faculty, how readers were only granted superficial access to their characters. I believe this was Breznican intent; the focus of this novel is the students.  We gained access into their lives and what motivated them. In all honesty, I couldn’t imagine this book any other way.

Brutal Youth is a novel that will shock you, without a doubt. You will question how it is possible for individuals to act the way they do. Both recalling my own high school memories, and now my son’s experience in high school, I can state with certainty that the characters in this novel can’t be any more genuine or believable.  While I do have fond memories of my high school years, I can honestly state that if I had to do it again, I would fail. I would tuck tail and run.

What makes this novel stand out is that it is one that can be appreciated by a wide range of readers. From current high schoolers to adults, Brutal Youth is a novel that will both captivate and terrify you. Highly, highly recommended!