There are some genres that are so similar they tend to blur together. However, there are differences that should be noted. For example, horror can be defined as a story where the protagonist seeks to destroy a supernatural threat in order to save themselves or others. Southern Gothic fiction is a story focused on the sufferings imposed on an innocent individual by a villain with more emphasis on the supernatural and occurs within a setting in the Southern US (compared to Gothic fiction or romance). An argument for horror elements being incorporated into Gothic fiction can be made amongst readers, but it comes down to the narrative the author writes. Summer Sons, the debut novel by Lee Mandelo, is an example of this genre-blending.
The protagonist is Andrew Blur, and he is reeling from the sudden death of his best friend and adoptive brother, Edward Lee Fulton, with the cause being ruled as a suicide. Andrew refuses to believe this happened, so he decides to continue with his plans to attend Vanderbilt University’s graduate program in the English department. Andrew was supposed to join Eddie there for the upcoming semester, but then he died. Andrew’s plan is to participate and to attend classes while investigating Eddie’s death.
Andrew’s “suspects” include his new housemate, Riley, who is in the same graduate program as himself (and Eddie). Riley’s cousin, Halse, one of Eddie’s closest friends, who is known for his house parties, and knows more about Eddie’s research topic than he wants to say out loud. On campus, Andrew meets Thom West, a Ph.D. candidate, who is Andrew’s mentor. Last, is Dr. Jane Thoth, one of the research professors and the chair of both Thom’s and Eddie’s research. As Andrew learns more about each individual, he starts to piece together what happened to his best friend, and he begins to cope with his grief. At the same time, Andrew recalls the reason for Eddie’s research topic—hauntings—and begins to wonder whether or not there is more to what the two shared together.
One of the things that makes Summer Sons stand out is the setting. The novel reflects fantasy academia through our reality, which means the characters have their work cut out for them if they want to achieve their goals and graduate. In other words, just because these characters were accepted into grad school it doesn’t mean they will graduate. While fantasy and science fiction present readers with idealized academic programs we all wish we could attend, in this Southern Gothic novel the characters are accepted into the academic program, but some of them know they are not wanted there, which adds more to the story’s conflict.
This story does an excellent job of balancing the conflicts the protagonist and the characters face: a mysterious death, the higher education experience, and the truth behind some of the supernatural occurrences. While they start off as three different dilemmas the characters face, the protagonist can’t help but wonder if he wants there to be a connection amongst them, or if there is another explanation to Eddie’s death. If it’s the former, then Andrew must find the connection. If it’s the latter, then Andrew needs to determine how and why Eddie died.
The author centers his story on the subject of grief. Although Andrew is the protagonist, he is not the only one mourning Eddie’s death. Everyone grieves differently, but it doesn’t mean one individual doesn’t miss the person less than everyone else. And an individual can only subject themselves to self-destructive behavior for so long before either the individual succumbs to their grief, or the individual copes with the grief and continues living their life.
Summer Sons is one of the most buzzworthy books of the year and it lives up to it. This Southern Gothic novel transports readers to Tennessee during the late summer where you can place yourself within the humid atmosphere. The supernatural occurrences are slow to appear, but when they do, you’ll believe you are experiencing something from a horror novel.
Summer Sons is a Southern Gothic novel that fans of Mexican Gothic will enjoy the most. Mandelo presents a narrative about grief, academia and the supernatural that will leave you wondering which parts of yourself you’re willing to share with other people, dead or alive. The pacing of the novel is identical to a car participating in a drag race. Once the story takes off you will find yourself at the end before you know it.
Julia Kitvaria Sarene
Jennie Ivins