I’ve always wanted to curate a suite of stories about psychologically dislocated youth. It’s not only a huge genre with a lot of potential, but it’s a natural for creative nonfiction.The psychic and geographical wanderings alone would be enough to define the form.
Logically, the place to begin would be with wayward parents. But you rarely, rarely see stories of this sort. That’s only one reason why it’s such a tremendous find to come across “Tag Sale” by JB McGeever. Messed-up parents with a son who’s struggling not to be messed-up? Here they are. The other reason why this is such a great find is, of course, the writing itself. In terms of accomplishment, this is no “youthful” author—the writing is that of a seasoned artist.
Now to the stories about the kids. I very much admire this piece “Hollywood,” by Paul Porter. A tale of meandering youth should meander convincingly and compellingly. It should be picaresque, testifying with every word that in the highest art, character must always triumph over plot. So read this. Get lost in it. And worry about the narrator as though he were your own child.
We might say all of the same for “Silver Lining City” by Molly Mix. While this tale cannot be blamed on drugs, it has the ability to drag you through youthful despair without your feeling the despair of being dragged—you are, instead, in masterful narrative hands, and they can and will transport you on the force of voice and truth alone.