Welcome to Litsy!

Thomas Tryon does not disappoint. The plot follows a new arrival (orphan, smart, plays violin) at a charity summer camp for boys in the late 1930s, just as the political and social terrors of the outside world are filtering into the youth. I love how Tryon toys with the reader…is this a Bildungsroman story of perseverance and courage or a horror allegory or something more? A thought-provoking tale and great companion piece to “Lord of the Flies.”

Tryon was a successful actor who walked away to write books. His first one, The Other, was a best seller and made into a movie. He then wrote, Harvest Home, which is one of my favorite horror stories. This one has a bit of a ‘Lord of the Flies‘ feel about a Jewish orphan at a boy‘s summer camp around the beginning of WWII. I am anxious to read another Tryon and see if he can go 4 out of 4 (bet he can!)