Somewhere There's Music

by Sean Paul Bedell

In this stark and unsparing coming-of-age story, the shy and intelligent Joel watches helplessly as his alcoholic and abusive paramedic father spirals ever downward and out of control. Joel's life crumbles further when his older brother, disturbed by the drunken violence inflicted on their mother, flees their home seemingly for good. Convinced he must track down his brother and bring him back home if he is to survive in this lonely and frightening new reality, Joel's awareness of his father's workplace experiences gradually begins to expand as he starts to appreciate the many issues faced by first responders, even as he begins to doubt that he himself will escape the chaos of his recently shattered world. In Somewhere There's Music , the reader is immersed in a young man's struggle and desperate search to find what's left of his family.

253 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2022

Reviews

[Meaghan Douthwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book. I thought reading about PTSD from a first responders point of review was a really interesting choice. As a daughter of a first responder and working in a... first responder parallel kind of job for many years (child protection), I really can see how a person's thought process can go in the direction that Roger's did.

Sean Paul Bedell really dove into his characters. Joels resilience was heartbreaking but wonderful to follow along with... I thought that the books portrayal of foster parents was perfect as well.

I'm saddened that we didn't find David and I'm saddened that Joel's aunt... wasn't great but .. that's also life. Family doesn't always deliver and those lessons are hard. I hope we see Joel again because he deserves to show us how far he has come.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant with a few gaps. I adored the character Joel, and the outside look at an abusive relationship was realistic and traumatizing. This, for me, was a story of faith, spirit, determination, acceptance and complicated relationships and your place in them.

Joel is the youngest of a broken family who simply wants to keep the four members connected and happy. Trying to hang onto the treasures he knows each member still has within them, he puts forth effort to relive the past, highlight the positives and excuse the mishaps. His father, a paramedic, works hard to pay the bills with double shifts and confidence he needs to be the only bread winner. His wife, unable to work for fear of being seen with bruises and not being able to use the same excuses again and again, tries to make it work and see her boys through their school years.

From the book: The ripples were the rock hit the water circled wider and wider, "And see, that's about the same as our impact."

With powerful imagery, terrifying truths and strong emotions, made for an impactful and harsh read. I would love a sequel simply to know if David returns.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his debut novel, Somewhere There’s Music, Sean Bedell has delivered a searing gut-punch of a coming-of-age story. This is 1990s Amherst, Nova Scotia, a working-class town of about 9,000 inhabitants situated near the New Brunswick border. Teenage Joel Carruthers lives at home with his parents, Roger and Gloria, and older brother David. Joel is smart and responsible, a bit socially awkward but starting to come into himself. He loves books and music. He gets good marks in high school and has a part-time job at a bookstore. He seems to have everything he needs. But the Carruthers household is anything but happy. Roger is a paramedic, a first responder scarred by traumatic experience who suffers from an extreme case of undiagnosed PTSD. When he drinks—which is frequently—he is prone to violent outbursts, and more often than not Gloria is the target of his rage. Day after day, with minor variations, a familiar pattern of events unfolds: Roger gets drunk while listening to Charlie Parker records, beats up on Gloria, and the boys rush to her defense. In quieter moments Joel and David tell their mother she has to leave Roger before he kills her. But Gloria won’t listen. Instead, in a manner not uncommon among domestic abuse victims, she pretends all is well, makes excuses, insists he’s just going through a bad patch, he doesn’t mean it, all of this will pass. The brutality and mayhem are too much for David, who has declared to Joel and close friends that at the first opportunity he’s leaving for Boston, where he’ll bunk with folks he knows and get a job. Then, one night, after an explosive and terrifying episode, David knocks his father to the floor, grabs a few things from his room, and takes off. Joel, still something of an innocent, believes David will return after he’s done blowing off steam. But this doesn’t happen. And before Joel has a chance to catch his breath, his life has spiraled in tragic fashion, in ways he could never have anticipated, and he finds himself completely on his own trying to cope. With his parents out of the picture, Joel’s brother becomes the focus of his hopes for his family and his future, and he sets out on a well-intentioned if ill-conceived campaign to find David and bring him home.

Bedell’s prose is not fancy, but it gets the job done, and by the end of the book we’re deeply invested in Joel’s plight, rooting for him to accept the help being offered by the community, carry on with his studies, and make something of himself.

Somewhere There’s Music is not an easy read. Sean Bedell does not sugar-coat the gruesome particulars of domestic abuse, and Roger’s attacks on his wife are often graphic and disturbing. But as unpleasant as these scenes are, they generate enormous tension and infuse the book with a sort of gripping authenticity that makes it almost impossible to put down.

In his first novel, Sean Bedell, who worked as a paramedic for more than a decade, pulls back the curtain on the impact of PTSD on families. What he reveals is harsh and troubling. But in 2022 society can simply not afford to look away.

[Justine Laporte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trauma filled story that is also life affirming, my favourite genre!

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were lovable, complex and relatable. I adored Joel and his determination, he seemed to believe in the best in everyone, and he cared deeply for everyone (even if they continuously let him down).

I really love reading books that are so local that landmarks show up in the book, makes the story feel even more real.

I hope to read more from Sean Paul Bedell

[Sue Slade]

Somewhere There’s Music by Sean Paul Bedell is a well-written coming-of-age debut novel set in Amherst, Nova Scotia. With short quick-to-read chapters, it explores a number of very real social issues such as Spousal Abuse, PTSD, Alcoholism, Suicide, and even Teen Pregnancy. It also examines the issues and trauma that first responders face and the very real impact on their families and loved ones. I really liked that the lead character Joel works part-time in a Bookstore.

I would have liked to have seen a section in the back of the book with addresses and phone numbers for local help centres for Domestic Abuse, PTSD, AA, Teen Pregnancy and Suicide helplines, and for Foster Care, Community Services, etc.

[Amari Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago, but the bookstore's push about earning extra ballots made me review it.

It was longer than necessary, but the story was good. The emotions were raw, and the story pulled tears from the reader.

This is a book that you read, and you really have to wonder if it was a memoir rather than just literary fiction because of how much information and truth are laced into it.

I would like to see what his follow-up novel is going to be. He's a good author, and I hope he doesn't stop here.

[Cassandra Ackerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read for me. I found it to be a slower read. I like the paramedic angle and how first responders can be impacted. I did not like the subtle connection that PTSD caused abusive behaviour in partners, particularly such severe physical abuse. Or that it's acceptable to condone the abuse because of his traumatic experiences. I understand that not everyone is all evil but treating Roger like a 'friend and healer' without acknowledging the trauma he inflicted rubbed me the wrong way. I liked Joel and how he was trying to navigate everything being just a kid himself.

[Sean McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually read historical fiction, military action, and biographies.

This novel was a terrific break from the traditional fare. Set in contemporary times, yet offering a timeless story.

Tragedies, struggles to quaint small town charming atmosphere—this novel weaves an authentic narrative for which I never imagined possible.

I’m sad there is not more.

Well done author.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a very good read, and for me personally i could relate to some on the main character. it does have ups and downs and i couldn't put it down, i would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book.

[Christopher Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, tragic story about growing up, family, and loss. Bedell paints a quaint picture of 90s small town Nova Scotia and inserts intriguing characters and moving scenarios. The last third was an adventure in itself!

[SR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am happy to support a local author and this novel is really a YA story. There were many loose ends and unbelievable situations. Not for me.

[Allan Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story about difficult social issues. I enjoyed reading it.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is rich with the angst of youth trying to create order out of chaos. Fast moving and full of the unexpected, I enjoyed it very much.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the author, very nice man. I had really high hopes for this book but I feel like it missed a little something.

I love the setting. It’s local and the author really knows his way around the area. That was the best part of the book.

I don’t want to go into details about the search for David, but I do want to state that I was rather pleased with the end of the book.