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TEEN'S DARK PREDICTIONS COMPLICATE YOUNG LIFE

Struggles of a modern teen skillfully portrayed in 'Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet'

Date published: 6/1/2008

NOBODY SAID being a teenager is easy. Nowadays, young adults must contend with incessant bullying, peer pressure and the awkward pratfalls of dating. But what if a teen also had to deal with eerily realistic premonitions about death? That's the premise behind "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet," a delectable--albeit dark--read from newbie Joanne Proulx.

From the intense opening scene to the casual conclusion, the story revolves around Luke Hunter, a 17-year-old introvert who relies on belittlement and crass humor to escape judgment and affection. Like most teens, he enjoys listening to the White Stripes and dreaming about the hottest chick in school. He also enjoys smoking pot. Life, while awkward, is relatively good.

That is until he haphazardly predicts the death of his good friend, Stan. After his detailed prediction proves true, Luke becomes the Hester Prynne of his Michigan community, his scarlet letter being this new "gift." Luke begins to receive premonitions of other people dying, most notably an old neighbor and a young girl who is believed to be kidnapped. As his visions intensify, Luke is forced to explore, debunk and stop his newfound curse, all while side-stepping the typical landmines of young adulthood.

This book could have easily been a Dean Koontz-like thriller or a J.K. Rowling-esque novel where the emphasis is on teenage mystical powers. Instead, Proulx wisely charts her own course, choosing to balance the plot by focusing equally on Luke's outlandish prophecies and his struggles to fit into his own skin--the latter a familiar theme for most teenagers. What makes the energy of this book so palpable is the fact that Luke, an icon of nihilism, struggles to break through the hard shell he worked so hard to create. In the end, his unexpected gift helps him finally experience the real world, and in the process, teaches him who he really is.

While the mystery and intrigue of the main character's premonitions keep the reader hooked, the sad story of a young boy lost in a dangerous world serves as an underlying plot motivator. Not only does the author put us inside Luke's tortured mind, but she also opens up a window into his misunderstood soul. By emphasizing his longing for Stan's girlfriend, addiction to tranquilizers and his inability to accept himself, Proulx gives the reader a very real, raw look at the normal and abnormal struggles of teenagers today. "Anthem" may not be your typical teen-oriented book, but it certainly is a captivating one.

Nicholas Addison Thomas is a freelance writer living in Fredericksburg.

ANTHEM OF A RELUCTANT PROPHET By Joanne Proulx (SoHo Press, $14)

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Date published: 6/1/2008