Michael Hartnett's Reviews > Sour Apples: A Novel for Those Who Hate to Read

A Grand Slice of Americana
Paul Jantzen’s Sour Apples is everything a boy’s tale should be – adventurous, romantic, earthy, at times poignant, and relentlessly funny. The novel captures a memorable summer of 11-year-old Jimmy, one filled with baseball games, romps in the woods, and skirmishes both physical and psychological. The work gains a nostalgic resonance through its small-town 1975 world, in a time without cell phones and video games where a child would spend most of his long days outside wandering, exploring, and imagining; and in a time when parents thought it very natural for their children to find their own paths forward. Not that Jimmy’s mother is unconcerned with her boy: she makes sure he frequents two groan-inducing institutions – the library and the church.
Jimmy’s obsessions for the summer focus on his pitching skills and his fort. His hot temper and his independent spirit get him into trouble, especially with his buddies, but Jimmy’s tendency to take risks also offers great rewards. His slowly flowering relationship with Cindy and his furtive friendship with the “bum” Patch demonstrate a maturity and a sophisticated awareness beyond his years. What gives the novel such strength is Jantzen’s clear-eyed depiction of Jimmy, who can be mean and violent, even though his better angels often prevail.
Jimmy’s explorations with the other boys lead to amusing encounters with snakes, squirrels, skunks, cats, the turtle Erwin, and a combative groundhog. Jimmy’s rambunctious friends provide a constant source of amusement, including the neighbor Kevin who spends the early part of the novel suffering unfortunate mishaps, Dave who has the most remarkable ability to speak to girls, and clumsy Chad who has impressive olfactory skills. Pranks and humor abound particularly with those animals and in memorable scenes involving Jimmy’s mischievous father, his tough mother who is usually three steps ahead of Jimmy, the dolled-up twins Jessica and Erica, a frilly fort makeover, and limburger cheese. Through these encounters and especially through his relationship with Patch, Jimmy continues to grow in ways that do not seem possible at the story’s opening.
Evocative and blessed with the spirit of Tom Sawyer, Sour Apples is a coming-of-age novel that is both a wonderful read and a rich evocation of an earlier, not-so-simple time.