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Fog
A teenage boy struggles to adjust to the changes in his life when his father dies suddenly and he loses the girl he loves.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 30, 2014
A very strong YA entry--or even adult. I read this book when it first came out in 1972, when I was 14. I can't say that I was particularly affected, though I found it memorable. It is a coming-of-age novel, and as a teen then myself I didn't buy it because of that. I used to pick up books because of the story. There isn't a false note in the entire book, which speaks both to Lee's skill and fine editing.
It's surprising (to me) that this book didn't become more popular. Lee's take on Luke is extremely insightful and unstinting in her depiction of the range of emotions he experiences, from love to hate (for the same person, often in the same instant), to sexual arousal, to doubt and sorrow and empathy, and so on. His relationship with his parents is suitably conflicted; and Luke regards his friendships as important yet given over to the same impulses germane to a teen.
While Lee isn't didactic, the book can border on the instructive. Luke often finds himself acting in ways befitting an adult, and he is often pleased that he makes the choices to act maturely. It almost seems as though Lee is telling the reader what the best course of action might be. Yet Luke is no saint.
The ending (no spoiler) is one of the finest I have read. I was moved, and I usually am not by most books. The last few pages leave open the notion that Luke will face more compelling decisions in the future, beyond those that he here, at the end, faces with pain but also certainty.
The book holds up very well, and is briefly topical. (Race and class are pressing issues that are touched on, though merely in passing.) It's out of print, which is unfortunate, but you can find many used copies on line.
It's surprising (to me) that this book didn't become more popular. Lee's take on Luke is extremely insightful and unstinting in her depiction of the range of emotions he experiences, from love to hate (for the same person, often in the same instant), to sexual arousal, to doubt and sorrow and empathy, and so on. His relationship with his parents is suitably conflicted; and Luke regards his friendships as important yet given over to the same impulses germane to a teen.
While Lee isn't didactic, the book can border on the instructive. Luke often finds himself acting in ways befitting an adult, and he is often pleased that he makes the choices to act maturely. It almost seems as though Lee is telling the reader what the best course of action might be. Yet Luke is no saint.
The ending (no spoiler) is one of the finest I have read. I was moved, and I usually am not by most books. The last few pages leave open the notion that Luke will face more compelling decisions in the future, beyond those that he here, at the end, faces with pain but also certainty.
The book holds up very well, and is briefly topical. (Race and class are pressing issues that are touched on, though merely in passing.) It's out of print, which is unfortunate, but you can find many used copies on line.
October 2, 2014
One of my favorite coming of age books when I was in junior high. The story does not hold the same appeal in my adulthood but was nostagically enjoyable.
July 4, 2020
Definitely a teen-age book. Not what I expected, and not one I particularly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews