Today, I am pleased to say I am on the tour for Below Torrential Hill by Jonathan Koven. My thanks go to Random Things Tours and Jonathan Koven for both my invitation to this tour and the copy of the book.

Jonathan Koven, author of the beloved poetry collection Palm Lines, returns with a stunning fiction debut. Breathtaking in scope, intimate in its detail, Below Torrential Hill is a coming-of-age about family, memory, and reconciliation.

It’s Christmas, and strange occurrences are plaguing the small town of Torrential Hill: a supernatural comet, undead insects, exploding streetlights, and a presence luring people into the woods. But when the mother of Tristen—a wistful, fatherless sixteen-year-old boy—hears voices from the kitchen sink, all he can think of is running away.

A novella that is a well written coming-of-age story that has plenty of intrigue and even a surreal side. The book  is the tale of sixteen year old Tristan who lives with his alcoholic mother, Lucille, in Torrential Hill. When Tristan was five, his father died in the woods; to make things  worse, his stepfather abandoned them too.

This book drew me in from the start; it may be a coming-of-age tale, but it goes deeper than that. It’s about mothers and sons, absent fathers and sons, grief, and the struggle a child has growing up in a hard time. The authors love of poetry shines through. How he uses his poetic eye gives this story a beautiful edge. This clever story is full of symbolism and metaphoric words.

I enjoyed the imagery that Jonathan Koven  brought from the puddle that ‘dances in the wake of his exit’ to the dawning sky  ‘is awake with Tristans’ torment. The power of this made me appreciate this book even more than just the narration as it gives us a really clear picture of just how Tristan is feeling. A teenage boy full of emotions, he can’t get a handle on.

A powerfully written novella that helps you appreciate the power of words and how they can be translated. I have never read a book, so beautifully written, and I am not a lover of poetry, but I enjoyed and appreciated this book so much. An unusual and interesting read which I can recommend.

Author Bio

Jonathan Koven grew up on Long Island, NY, embraced by tree-speak, tide’s rush, and the love and support of his family. He holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from American University, works as a technical writer, and is Toho Journal’s head fiction editor and workshop coordinator. He lives in Philadelphia with his best friend and future wife Delana, and cats Peanut Butter and Keebler. Jonathan’s debut chapbook Palm Lines is available from Toho Publishing.