Jedi Summer

by John Boden

A BOY AND HIS LITTLE BROTHER WANDER THROUGH THE LOOSELY STITCHED SUMMER OF 1983. It was a magical one. Full of sun and surrealism, of lessons and loss, and of growing up and figuring it out.

Nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania is a small town unlike any other. Things are strange here, always have been. People die but hang around, pets too. Everyone knows your name, and sometimes, a thing as simple as a movie coming to the local theatre is all it takes to keep you going.

“Jedi Summer drops the floor right out from under you, leaves you standing in a childhood that’s been rolling around inside your chest for too long. But you’d trade anything to stay there just one more day.” – Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians and My Heart Is A Chainsaw

Genres: Horror, Novella, Coming Of Age

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2022

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some excellent coming of age stories, especially for those who grew up in the 80s like me. Johnny and Roscoe grow up in the poor side of town. First they can't be adults quick enough, later on they look back to those fascinating endless childhood days full of wonder and new surprises. At the end you'll learn that the days are getting shorter, the end is coming nearer. Is it horror? Well, there are some horror elements inside. Is it nostalgia? Definitely a big part of it? Is it interesting? Yes, you'll automatically reflect upon your own life and where it leads in the end: to death. Recommended! Brought back the 80s in a fine way. Remember the Jedi movie like yesterday...

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

One definitive summer in a boys life does not sum up the whole, but it can hit pretty close. With a mom working three jobs the duty of looking out for his younger brother naturally falls to Johnny, annoying as that can be at times. They will cross this summer together, a summer that will be remembered for the mundane to the weird, and the tragic. An elder Johnny may wish that a few of those moments could be taken back, and others would never be forgotten.

I knew going in that this was actually an amalgamation of mini-stories, or flash-fiction, brought together to form one summer. Read together, they are not exactly linear, and the broken pattern is apparent. The inconsistency bothered me some, but the final few snippets had a way of fusing the whole, because in them Johnny recalls his kid brother with an affection that is only truly visible when we are older.

[Marie Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

Because I am not a fan of coming of age books but Jedi Summer is really one of a kind.

[Richard Bankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining tales from the authors childhood. 4.25 🌟

[Carla (Carla's Book Bits) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this brand of "all vibes no plot" book.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Some doors were made to slam and others to close gently. Some doors ain’t even doors at all, just terrible windows.”

[The Local Spooky Hermit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pennsylvania back when it was more rural than it was for me in the 90s. Yes please. I got it expecting horror. But there's only a sprinkle of off setting moments and some paranormal stuff. Enjoyed it tho. A story of moments in the lifes of 2 brothers. A big part of the novel is them the summer waiting for return of the jedi. I remember being excited for the wait and going to see the phantom menace. Its a bit bitter sweet and reminds me of growing up with my sister.
(There a sad story about a dog getting shot and bleeding out waiting for someone to get home to help.. that was depressing dog comes back kinda as a ghost i guess and gets fed toast.)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oozes 80's nostalgia

I wish this book was longer. I adored the 80's, coming of age references and went down a rabbit hole looking for similar books afterward. I'm not sure what genre this fits. I found it in a Horror group, but I wouldn't classify it as such. Really good read.

[Beau Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. Coming of age, brothers, introspection, and the summer of Jedi.

[Glenn Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Possibly the worst book I’ve ever read. How can something that’s 88 pages be so overwritten and way too long. Terrible.

[Kelsi - Slime and Slashers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down for GR

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jedi Summer isn't exactly a short novel or novella and isn't structured as a single cohesive story. It is perhaps best described as a short collection of coming of age vignettes. These are brief glimpses into past events, with a bit of the supernatural thrown in for fun, which don't follow a strict timeline and don't always reach any sort of resolution. The author paints a believable portrait of life, growing up poor and in a small town. In this way, the reader can join Johnny and his brother and experience a formative Summer in their childhood. Some of this is really powerful stuff and the writing is quite good. Were I to be critical of it, I would have to point out the high frequency of pop culture references, which to me began as a strength, but were used to the point of weakness. At first, these references deepened the works, evocative of a bygone time that honestly took me back to my own childhood. But sometimes, they caused my mind to wander off the page, distracting me from the writing entirely. After a while, they became a bit tedious. However, and this is a big however, all of this is forgiven, since I really did enjoy reading the rest of everything else. The relationship between Johnny and his little brother Roscoe is top notch stuff. Some of the reflections and emotions and descriptions, especially towards the end of this book are both profound and deeply moving. If Jedi Summer was this author's attempt at a proof of concept or to just get started as a writer, I applaud his efforts and encourage him to keep on writing. I did want a bit more about the Return of Jedi though! I mean with all of the build up and anticipation, heck, even the title, I wanted the viewing of that movie by Johnny and Roscoe to be a bit more life changing. Definitely worth checking out.. 4/5

[Bookishme_lisamarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different snapshots of the author's childhood in the 80s with his brother Roscoe. 99% of the stories included are true. Some supernatural aspects were added for the creep factor.

It was a very real look at brotherly interactions. The author,being the oldest child, had the burdens of taking care of his sibling and protecting him while also being the "man" of the house while his single parent mom worked 3 jobs.

There are real moments of trying to hold onto summer vacation and childhood in general, while responsibilities and dealing with the death of family and neighbors inched him closer to adulthood.

It was a quick read and a fun 80s flashback for me. While I wish there were more added creepy moments, the true story aspects were heart warming. 4⭐️

[Alex Norcross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jedi Summer Jedi Summer is a a slice of life, coming-of-age arc reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine or Robert McCammon's Boy's Life. John Boden is probably best known for his works of horror fiction, but this isn't a typical genre piece. While there are occasional horrific elements, Jedi Summer is more like a poem, both ode and elegy to childhood and family. If you're looking for a read with a dramatic plot, this book won't do it for you. But if you're willing to go through a ride through the eyes of a kid who grew up poor and with a heart full of love, then you're in for a mesmerizing experience in the hands of a master storyteller.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one just wasn't for me. I was eager to read as it is described as an 80's coming of age story of two brothers' summer the year that Return of the Jedi came out - all things I like. However, instead of a story with a plot, it was just an accumulation of mini-stories that really didn't tie together or have any kind of explanation/resolution. The author obviously has talent as the short stories expanded would probably be good but there just was no plot, explanation or resolution. Many of the stories were interesting but had no point

[Mistress of the Bleeding Sorrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's skill in evoking nostalgia is undeniable. This is the main focus of the book, as it doesn't have a clear plot or direction. I found it to be emotional and beautifully written. However, I was appalled by the presence of at least 3 instances of animal cruelty, which I did not enjoy reading about.

[Daniel C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply beautiful, heartfelt rememberance of childhood. As I read, I found myself rereading certain paragraphs or sections. I could relate to so much of this, and personal memories from my own childhood soon began winking at me as I turned the pages. I didn't want it to end. And I still don't want it to end.

[Joshua Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another “coming of age” story which is fine and dandy but something about it just didn’t click. It drags on and on rather than pulls you through with excitement and pep. There’s a beautiful story of being kind to others, especially your family, but it’s hard to get through. Like life sometimes it just feels slower and less exciting than you expected it too

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hit home. I was a boomerang until I returned one day and no one was there to catch me. John Boden, if you read this, I feel like we know each other. My mother, like your father, had pizza after returning home from the hospital. She wasn't home four hours before the ambulance took her back. She was gone four days later.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Boden is a talented man and an underrated author.
Taking place partly in the summer of 1983 and partly in present day, this book beautifully explores the ghosts (both literal and figurative) that haunt us and how life shapes us to be who we are. Surreal, sad, and beautiful.

[Mark J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book of a wonderful story. Brings back memories and many similar experiences of my teenage years in the 1980's. Anyone who was a teenager in the 80's will enjoy this book.

[Stephen Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting this book to be about, but I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely read more from this author.

[LZW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic

I assumed this was horror for some reason, and it definitely is not but I still really enjoyed this condensed coming of age tale. Very thoughtfully written and descripted so vividly I felt like it was accessing my own memories.

["Sil" · Rating 5 out of 5]

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