Never the Same Again

by Gerald Tesch (Jerry Tschappat)

G. P. Putnam's Sons [Published 1956]. Hard cover, 318 pp. First Edition. [Excerpt from jacket flap] In this first novel which breathes the spirit of adolescence in all its frustrations and uncertain joys, Geraid Tesch has created an unforgettable picture of innocence betrayed. Such realism in setting down on paper the thoughts and language and reactions of a boy of thirteen has seldom been found in an American novel. Johnny's family, his tortured friend Roy, the determined and evil boys' club leader, the judge, and the others involved in Johnny's case are all depicted with astonishing perception and maturity. This book reveals a fresh and important new talent. Parish was an exceptionally bright boy at thirteen. True, his mother was divorced and his family life in a small midwestern town was far from ideal, but he had done well in school and his aunts and the neighbors liked him. Then came the summer when Roy Davies, who ran a gas station, befriended him and gave him a job. They were pals from the first and Roy got on all right with Johnny's mother Barbara. Evenings at the movies, fishing trips, week ends at the Lake, a thousand small jokes and bits of comradeship came to bind them together. What Roy came to feel for Johnny was perhaps too intense, carried the small-boy adoration of the companionable older man too far. Yet it was the head of the boys' club, not Roy, who made the trouble in the fall when Johnny went back to school and to activities with those of his own age. A scandal of major proportions developed, tragic for Johnny and no less so for Roy.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann]

Another possible lost classic? Tesch wrote the novel while attending the prestigious Lowney Handy Colony for writers which James Jones attended. Apparently his first and only published book. Tesch's real name was Gerry Tschappat.

The Lowney Handy Colon y doesn't exist anymore but here is a link for it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handy_W...

For those like me who don't know James Jones was the author of 'From Here to Eternity' and many other novels, though I've never read him, but I have seen the film of the novel.

All together Never the same again looks worth a look.

For reference in my review:

W.H. Hudson's 'Green Mansions'

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