This past month I read this recently published novel written by the American fiction writer, Joseph Kenyon. I took my time as I wanted to really savor the subtle poetry of the story. Here are five reasons why I judge this novel a real find and why you will want to consider adding to your summer reading list:

The Unfolding Drama
Autumn Gilhain, student and founding member of an artistic society, embodies what Friedrich Nietzsche termed the passionate spirit of Dionysius; Quinn Gravesend, seasoned composer and professor, lives according to reasoned Apollonian coolness. Autumn and Quinn are the novel’s two main characters and the interplay and clashing of their personalities infuse the novel with serious drive and momentum.

The Setting
North American University of Fine Arts – If you are dedicated to the creative life and artistic genius, as are the men and women in this novel, what better environment that a school completely and totally dedicated to the arts?

The Societe de l'Espirit Artistique
Autumn Gilhain and her group of young artists, writers and musicians devoting their energies to artistic genius reminds me in a way of Roberto Bolaño’s The Savage Detectives.

The Language:
The objective third-person narrative voice is clear and crisp, flowing with elegance and grace, as if we are listening to an accomplished classical pianist performing a sonata.

Timeless
Although the first date cited is 1999, the story has a timeless quality unfolding page after page. I have purposely kept my review short so as not to spoil any of the discoveries a reader will make from beginning to end.