jbronderbookreviews

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson

A short, irresistible, and bittersweet coming-of-age story in the vein of “Stranger Things” and “Stand by Me” about a group of misfit kids who spend an unforgettable summer investigating local ghost stories and urban legends.

Growing up in 1980s Niagara Falls–a seedy but magical, slightly haunted place–Jake Baker spends most of his time with his uncle Calvin, a kind but eccentric enthusiast of occult artifacts and conspiracy theories. The summer Jake turns twelve, he befriends a pair of siblings new to town, and so Calvin decides to initiate them all into the “Saturday Night Ghost Club.” But as the summer goes on, what begins as a seemingly lighthearted project may ultimately uncover more than any of its members had imagined. With the alternating warmth and sadness of the best coming-of-age stories, The Saturday Night Ghost Club examines the haunting mutability of memory and storytelling, as well as the experiences that form the people we become.

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Praise for The Saturday Night Ghost Club

A short, irresistible, and bittersweet coming-of-age story in the vein of “Stranger Things” and “Stand by Me” about a group of misfit kids who spend an unforgettable summer investigating local ghost stories and urban legends.

“Davidson smudges the line between comedy and horror, cruelty and mercy. His remarkable stories are challenging and upsetting. Don’t look for comfort here.”
Chuck Palahniuk, AUTHOR OF FIGHT CLUB

“There is a strikingly original tone to Mr. Davidson’s stories. The prose is spare yet elegant, the insights are fresh and real, and best of all there is a boundless humanity in Mr. Davidson’s writing: a love of life that is beautifully woven with an acute sense of its darkness.”
Clive Barker, AUTHOR OF THE BOOKS OF BLOOD

“A writer of immense power and surprising, accurate insights.”
Peter Straub, AUTHOR OF A DARK MATTER

“Man, this guy can write.”
Paul Haggis, ACADEMY-AWARD WINNING WRITER AND DIRECTOR

About the Author

Craig Davidson is a Canadian author of short stories and novels, who has published work under both his own name and the pen names Patrick Lestewka and Nick Cutter

Born in Toronto, Ontario, he was raised in Calgary and St. Catharines.

His first short story collection, Rust and Bone, was published in September 2005 by Penguin Books Canada, and was a finalist for the 2006 Danuta Gleed Literary Award. Stories in Rust and Bone have also been adapted into a play by Australian playwright Caleb Lewis and a film by French director Jacques Audiard.

Davidson also released a novel in 2007 named The Fighter. During the course of his research of the novel, Davidson went on a 16-week steroid cycle. To promote the release of the novel, Davidson participated in a fully sanctioned boxing match against Toronto poet Michael Knox at Florida Jack’s Boxing Gym; for the novel’s subsequent release in the United States, he organized a similar promotional boxing match against Jonathan Ames. Davidson lost both matches.

His 2013 novel Cataract City was named as a long listed nominee for the 2013 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Website

My Review

4 Stars

This is the story of Jake Baker. The adult Jake is a neurosurgeon and has stories of the brain. But the other half of the story is in 1980’s Niagara Falls. When Jake was twelve he didn’t have friends so he spent most of his time at his Uncle Calvin’s shop Occultorium. But during this summer he starts spending time with the new kids in town, Billy and Dove Yellowbird. They become the Saturday Night Ghost Club and spend their time researching different haunting and such in town.

I liked how this book takes you back to your childhood and the different things you dealt with. From bullies to crushes and the various adventures you went one. But mingled with that story is Adult Jake talking about the brain and memory. I’m always curious about the brain and like how little tidbits are mixed in with the other story.

Although you may think that this is just another coming of age story with a paranormal twist this is so much more. As things wrap around and around we start seeing how they mingle closer and closer until you learn more about Jake’s family and Uncle C’s own past. I admit that my heart broke at that moment.

This is a great read and will drag you through all the emotions you can feel in a book. It’s not a typical coming of age story; this one has more meaning than a lot I have read. It was a great story and one I recommend checking out. It is the first book of Craig Davidson’s that I have read but it would be my last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and share this book.