Once, In Lourdes

It’s 1968, and, with the Vietnam War dominating headlines, four high school outcasts in Lourdes, Mich. make a suicide pact in Solwitz’s (Bloody Mary) honest and soul-baring novel about choice, fate, and the consequences of youthful idealism. Kay, Vera, C.J., and Saint give themselves two weeks to complete everything they want to do before they jump off a cliff together. The metaphor of standing on the edge of life runs throughout the narrative, as each of the friends contends with both childhood desires and the pull of adult responsibility. C.J., who has never felt comfortable as the brilliant high school heartthrob, is ready to let his true colors show, but his father is dead set on sending him to the perfect college. Kay, whose weight seems to be the only thing that anyone sees when they look at her, feels she doesn’t fit in anywhere, even in this new pact. Saint has to work to support his family, but he craves a higher enlightenment and escape. And Vera has a dark secret she’s hiding from everyone. The four find a total sense of freedom in their pledge, letting their feelings shape their actions. Kay cuts summer school, Vera does hard drugs, C.J. expresses his feelings for another member of the group, Saint gives in to his anger, and they all come together in unlikely ways. Although the pact hastens their growth into adulthood, finding oneself this wildly doesn’t come without consequences. A dark novel that knowingly depicts the confusion of being a teenager and the strong bonds of friendship that form at that young age. (May)