Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce

The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit by Graham Joyce

It’s the 1970s and David takes a summer job at a resort in a decaying seaside town on the coast of England.  He chooses the location because the resort’s name is on the back of a faded photo of his father, a man who died when David was only three.  At the resort David is a green coat, one of the members of the entertainment group which organizes and runs activities for children and seniors.  He makes friends, some who seem more scary than friendly, and tries to find his place in this medley of characters.  Underlying it all are the apparitions of a well-dressed father and son that only he can see.  What tie do these figures have to his past?

As much as I dislike the term, this truly is a coming of age story.  David is a young college student who learns about love, loss and politics while working at the resort.  The time period and setting bring to life a very politically charged time in England that mirrors some of the issues we were battling in America.  It is a quick read, and a good listen, I jumped between both, that will bring a bit of summer sun to your winter nights.