On the surface, The Polite Act of Drowning is a coming-of-age narrative, but diving deeper reveals that it is also an exploration of the fragility of life and the impact of death on those around it. Charleen Hurtubise, a writer living in Ireland, sets her debut novel in her native Michigan. Her heartrending, immersive prose allows readers to fully experience the small town of Kettle Lake. Joanne, 16 years old in the summer of 1985, does not know the girl who drowns on a sunny day at the local beach, but the tragedy still changes the course of her life.
Kettle Lake, reeling in the aftermath of the incident; a new, troublesome friend named Lucinda; and Joanne's secretive mother, Rosemary, who begins to unveil the mysteries of her past, all add fuel to the fire of the already blazing summer heat. Lucinda offers Joanne companionship in a confusing time. Rosemary, triggered by the drowning, mourns the long-ago death of her brother. The story of Joanne and the women who surround her explores themes of sexuality and mental illness as Hurtubise creates a powerful narrative of family and hardship, exposing how moments can affect people long after they happen.
The small town, experiencing a particularly intense summer, is filled with atmospheric scenery and vibrant yet flawed characters. Joanne's personal narrative is a testimony to experiencing growing pains and seeking out the light at the end of the tunnel. The Polite Act of Drowning finds hope and love in the deepest parts of Kettle Lake. --Clara Newton, freelance reviewer