ABANDONED. adult novel about a boy whose mother is obsessed with perfection

[Calvin]

I read this book about two years ago- it's a realistic fiction about a boy whose mother is obsessed with perfection. He has to hide his decaying mental health from her as a result, because to show her that he's "broken" would upset her. He also befriends a former sailor(?) who dies in a house fire and his school tutor molests him, both of which contribute to his problems.

I want to say his name is Patrick, but I'm not at all certain as to that detail's accuracy...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Is it just straight fiction, or is it horror? Mystery? Suspense? Where and when is it set?

[Calvin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Is it just straight fiction, or is it horror? Mystery? Suspense? Where and when is it set?"

As far as I remember, it's plain fiction and set in I think New England, though I seem to also remember something about California

[Tab]

Do you remember the cover? Part of a series?

[Calvin]

Tab wrote: "Do you remember the cover? Part of a series?"

I don't remember the cover and as far as I know it was not part of a series.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

What years of the boy's life are covered? Does he become an adult at some point in the book?

[Calvin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "What years of the boy's life are covered? Does he become an adult at some point in the book?"

He is about 8-10 years old when the novel begins and he is 16-18 when it ends, as far as I can remember. He ends up being very truant in high school (possibly to the point of expulsion) and he also develops anxiety regarding STD's at this time.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Is it literary fiction or mass market fiction?

[Calvin]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Is it literary fiction or mass market fiction?"

Mass-market. I don't remember any cover details, nor do I remember the author's name, either.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Cal, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

No response, moving to Abandoned.