West of Rehoboth : A Novel
Author(s): Alexs D. Pate
Set in the early 1960s, West of Rehoboth is the moving story of twelve-year-old Edward Massey. Each summer, to escape the heat of Philadelphia, Edward's family moves to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The "coloreds only" side of a pristine resort on Rehoboth Beach offers work for his mother and a sandy playground for his sister. But for Edward -- an imaginative, inquisitive boy -- it offers the chance to understand his reclusive, curmudgeonly Uncle Rufus, a man caught in a swirl of hard luck and bad choices.
Forging a tenuous bond, their relationship will take Edward on a harrowing journey through Rufus's past, facing the violence, disappointment, and frustration that shaped his destiny. Award-winning author Alexs Pate tells a mesmerizing story -- of family, of coming of age, of reconciliation -- revealing the extraordinary compassion and healing power of one unforgettable boy.
Review(s):
“In this richly detailed masterpiece, Pate’s writing soars.”
“Richly conceived . . . Pate’s characters are fully imagined.”
“Pate creates extraordinarily well-developed characters, and his prose is eloquent and nuanced. A powerful coming-of-age tale.”
“A profoundly affecting story . . . Pate writes from the heart.”
“A poignant tale . . . A multilayered exploration of love and redemption.”
“Reading West of Rehoboth was like being grabbed by hand by an adventurous friend and taken on a memorable expedition.”
Minnesota Book Award
ISBN: 9780380800421