Jean
BOOK BY Madeleine Dunnigan
Seventeen–year–old Jean, a troubled Jewish boy caught in the countercultural swirl of 1970s London, arrives at Compton Manor, a rural alternative boarding school for boys with “problems.” Though he is an outcast among these outcasts, he is befriended by Tom, a much wealthier, more popular classmate, and it seems as if Jean’s world might change. When things turn romantic, Jean is tipped into a heady, overwhelming infatuation. What before seemed odd now brims with promise—the compulsory farming at school, reading poetry aloud, pagan ritual—and Jean thinks he might even pass his exams. But the differences between Tom and Jean—Tom is tuition–paying, Jean is on a scholarship; Tom social, Jean reclusive—create too wide a chasm to cross. Set over one hot summer, Jean is a startlingly assured debut about the kinds of love that break us and make us whole. The author’s ability to manage multiple elements within the story contributes to its overall strength. Plot, character, and theme are integrated in a way that feels cohesive rather than fragmented. This integration supports a smooth and engaging narrative. The book’s descriptive passages serve to enhance rather than dominate the narrative. Settings are portrayed clearly enough to establish atmosphere, yet they never distract from the story’s core focus. This measured use of description supports immersion.