Lickety Split
I don't often review books, but on occasion, an author's work moves me to action. This book is one.Lickety Split by Damon Suede is, at its simplest, a feel good revelation. While Patch Hastle returns to Hixville after a seven-year absence, amid unfortunate circumstances, hostility propels him through uncomfortable situations that only someone who has lived through them can truly understand.
Every moment brings us a closer understanding of Patch, a kid who left home at sixteen and never fully recovered from the rejection he faced. He goes back as a man with a chip on his shoulder, prepared to confront demons that no longer exist for anyone but him.His nemesis, Tucker, is a memorable character. One I’ve thought of often since I finished the book. He keeps everything close to his vest, but the raw pain is palpable even to the most casual reader. There’s a reality to Tucker that gives the reader moments to ponder and question the same characteristics in themselves.We all want to be better people. Patch and Tucker, in Suede’s capable hands, are no different. They suffer realistic, well-crafted stumbles, moments of bone-crushing self-doubt, difficult realizations born of sincere and heart-wrenching reflection. Who am I? What should I do? What will people think?We see growth and maturity, regret and pure joy, resignation and acceptance. Revelation after revelation embroils us in Patch’s struggle – with himself and his preconceived notions. We feel Tucker’s patience and heart-wrenching regret for bad decisions and moments lost, as he comes to a self-awareness that rocks him to the core and changes who he thinks he is.Hear this world! Damon Suede has eclipsed Hot Head. With the right amount of angst and indecision, this is a tale of two men who not only find each other, but more importantly, themselves. You will cheer and curse, grin and marvel at Damon’s clever turn of phrase. But more, you will think about all you should have done in your life. All you could have done. What decisions changed your life for better or worse? What should you have done? What opportunities didn’t you take? What doubts kept you from realizing the life you should have had?Quick-quick. Slow, Slow.
Every moment brings us a closer understanding of Patch, a kid who left home at sixteen and never fully recovered from the rejection he faced. He goes back as a man with a chip on his shoulder, prepared to confront demons that no longer exist for anyone but him.His nemesis, Tucker, is a memorable character. One I’ve thought of often since I finished the book. He keeps everything close to his vest, but the raw pain is palpable even to the most casual reader. There’s a reality to Tucker that gives the reader moments to ponder and question the same characteristics in themselves.We all want to be better people. Patch and Tucker, in Suede’s capable hands, are no different. They suffer realistic, well-crafted stumbles, moments of bone-crushing self-doubt, difficult realizations born of sincere and heart-wrenching reflection. Who am I? What should I do? What will people think?We see growth and maturity, regret and pure joy, resignation and acceptance. Revelation after revelation embroils us in Patch’s struggle – with himself and his preconceived notions. We feel Tucker’s patience and heart-wrenching regret for bad decisions and moments lost, as he comes to a self-awareness that rocks him to the core and changes who he thinks he is.Hear this world! Damon Suede has eclipsed Hot Head. With the right amount of angst and indecision, this is a tale of two men who not only find each other, but more importantly, themselves. You will cheer and curse, grin and marvel at Damon’s clever turn of phrase. But more, you will think about all you should have done in your life. All you could have done. What decisions changed your life for better or worse? What should you have done? What opportunities didn’t you take? What doubts kept you from realizing the life you should have had?Quick-quick. Slow, Slow.
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