The Same Deep Water As You – Chad Lutzke
Reviewed by D.K. Hundt
The Same Deep Water As You, published by Static Age Books, is the second novella that I’ve read by Chad Lutzke, the first being Out Behind The Barn co-written with John Boden, and both are books I highly recommend. The former is a coming of age story narrated by the main character, nineteen-year-old Jex, and if you’re a fan of The Cure, then you will notice that some of the song titles from their album Disintegration (1989) are used as chapter titles and the title of this book.
‘The Cure. It was the perfect soundtrack for a budding relationship between two friends . . . A soundtrack that took snapshots, kept them safe, then showed them off when played again years later.’
I was eighteen years old when Disintegration was first released, so, to say this novella resonated with me on so many levels would be a complete understatement. Music was huge with me back then as it is for Jex and his friends, skaters who drink beer, smoke, and struggle with love, loss, jealousy, and the daily life of teenagers trying to navigate the world and figure things out, which is something every generation has in common. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that there are moments in this novella that will surprise you, bring you to tears, and perhaps you too will see a bit of yourself in, The Same Deep Water As You.
If you haven’t read Chad’s writing before, I will leave you with the first paragraph of his latest novella to entice you:
‘It was early spring, and we were kept warm by the humming heater as snow fell outside the car. The snow. There’s warmth in it somehow, isn’t there? Have you ever lain in the deep snow and felt the contentment it brings? Like a mother’s embrace willing you to sleep. It’s entrancing. And at night it’s like the stars are falling. Coming in for a wet kiss.’
In closing, if my review or the synopsis of The Same Deep Water As You sparked your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.
Music, beer, skateboarding, and tragedy star in this coming-of-age lesson on love and lust and the line that divides them, as 19-year-old Jex experiences a life that meets River’s Edge and Kids with Dazed & Confused––a parentless indie yarn with the dark heart Lutzke is known for.
You can buy The Same Deep Water As You from Amazon UK & Amazon US
D.K. Hundt
D. K. Hundt is an American writer with a BA degree in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing contemporary fiction and horror/supernatural stories, she likes to spend her free time working as a volunteer in her community, being a minion for her cat Simon, warding off carnivorous spiders, and throwing herself into and around the dark alleyways of Stephen King novels in search of inspiration. D. K. resides in California with her husband, and she is currently working on a horror novel titled, Cheveyo–a story about a young boy who goes to live with his grandpa on a reservation, and soon discovers that the malevolent creatures that lurk in the Okanogan Forest aren’t the only deadly secret the locals are hiding.
You can follow D.K. on Twitter @DKHundt1
Please visit D.K.’s official website www.dkhundt.com
How can I resist after such a teasing review! Been wanting to read the author and I’ll be sure to do that now.