At first you might expect this to be a conventional coming-of-age tale, but it soon becomes apparent that it is a far from ordinary story, a dark and disturbing exploration of trauma, remorse, betrayal and mental illness. Sixteen year old Joanne lives with her family in a small lakeside community in Michigan. Set over one hot summer in 1985, we watch as her world starts to crumble. A teenage holiday maker drowns and this tragic event has unexpected consequences for Joanne ad her family. With expert pacing, the characters’ backstories are gradually revealed. The adults as well as the children have major issues that they have to try and come to terms with. Joanne’s mother is bi-polar and her children naturally find this bewildering. Other family members try to help but a long-running feud exacerbates the situation. Joanne has a new friendship that seems to offer so much but soon finds herself betrayed. There’s a lot going on behind the daily scenes of small-town life and the novel is an insightful and compassionate account of growing up amidst past events that cannot be changed and a present that is so painful. I found this a moving and gripping read, beautifully written, with well-rounded and relatable characters, with empathy and understanding shown to them all. A great read.

It's 1985 in the town of Kettle Lake, Michigan. Sixteen-year-old Joanne, her sister Hare and brother Sammy live with their parents in a large house on the lake. The drowning of a teenage girl causes unexpected havoc in Joanne's family. Her mother begins to lose her grip on reality as she recalls her past, and a visiting professor may play a role in her healing or her downfall. Thankfully, Joanne can rely on her new friend Lucinda who faces her own issues and invites Joanne to explore her sexuality. And Aunt Rita steps up to reveal secrets and support the family. In the end, each family member is left to manage their own emotions and find healing. Joanne has to decide if she'll carry her mother's trauma as she turns to swimming as a coping skill.
I like the way the author invites the characters and readers to handle trauma. We get to choose if we confront our truths or run, and we get to heal in meaningful ways.
I don't like how the mom "magically" gets better as she moves into her own place. She doesn't need therapy or anything? Hmm. Maybe that's a sign of the time - 1985 instead of 2023.
The sexuality aspect of the story is not "in your face" but definitely present. Several couples are gay, one character is bi and other characters explore their sexuality.
Several characters are mentioned but not explored. I'd like to know what happens to Hare and Sammy, for example.

The town of Kettle Lake Michigan is a popular tourist spot but there are those who live there all year round. Joanne Kennedy is sixteen, not one of the 'in' crowd, not pretty like her sister, just muddling along. Her father works hard. Her mother's moods are a constant concern & her younger brother spends most of the time with her aunt. At the start of the summer Joanne witnesses a girl of her age drown. This haunts her- could, should she have done more to help? When wild Lucinda arrives as a foster child of the folk close by Joanne thinks she has found a friend- but be careful what you wish for!

This was a beautifully written book that dealt sensitively with mental health issues, growing up & being different. It is a book that slipped by me for ages but I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this moving book.

Delicate story of coming of age , death, depression, psychosis, self discovery, drowning. Characters are fragile, well formed, and you hope the best for them.

This was overall a decent read. I honestly don't feel as if it's something Id reach for and re read but it was good. Would I recommend it, yes simply because my dislike could be someone else's favorite read of the year.

I couldn't put this beautifully written book down.i felt like I was in this small town watching everything unfold. So descriptive captivating writing. Perfect for reading on a hot summers day.

"The Polite Act of Drowning" is a beautifully written and deeply affecting novel that explores the complexities of the human experience with honesty and compassion. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literary fiction that delves into the complexities of the human psyche.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, and no significant gaps between words. Some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I really enjoyed this author's writing. The novel is set in the small town of Kettle Lake in Michigan in 1985 over one summer. The location is written in vivid detail. I could picture the lake, the weather, the roads and house and shop with ease and I think this was my favourite part of this novel.

While I appreciate how well the author captures both depression and living with depression and the confusion and difficulty being sixteen can bring, I found the story so deeply sad an I felt it lagged a little in the middle. It is told solely from the perspective of 16 year old Joanne and I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read from some of the other characters perspectives..

The pace was just a little two slow for me but I did appreciate the style of writing and the ending of the book was the strongest section.

3 star for the writing, overall not sure it is one I would recommend though but would absolutely read whatever this author writes next.

A bipolar mother, a father who does not know how to handle the situation and a friend who is herself unstable and a liar make growing up very difficult.
The novel is intriguing, but the end was disappointing and all in all ist was more depressing than entertaining.

What a wonderful debut! I really enjoyed this literary trip to Michigan, and the setting was so engrossing. Joanne was a fully developed teen, and her coming-of-age story over the summer was very compelling. I'm looking forward to whatever Charleen writes next, and I can't wait to get a final copy of this book when it releases.

This debut novel by Irish-based American author Hurtubise is an evocative coming of age story with some dark themes. The book opens with the drowning of a teenage girl in the small town of Kettle Lake, Michigan in 1985 and is set over the course of one long, hot summer.

Joanne Kennedy witnesses the girl's drowning and struggles to process it, whilst simultaneously trying to manage a difficult home life, with a mentally ill mother and a father who drinks too much. When Joanne is befriended by troubled newcomer Lucinda, she suddenly appears to have an ally but the path to friendship is beset with obstacles that threaten to drag Joanne and those around her under.

This slow-paced drama perfectly captures the claustrophobia of small-town life where everyone knows your business and past transgressions are never forgotten. The writing is lyrical and polished, although I struggled at times to penetrate the veil of the writing to feel the heart of the story beneath.

The novel is linear in time and written entirely in the first person present tense. While this creates a sense of immediacy, I find sometimes when used in isolation, it can become monotonous and doesn't allow for reflection on the part of the narrator (this is a personal preference of mine - I had the same issue with The Paper Palace). I found Rosemary, Joanne's mother, an interesting character and would have enjoyed her perspective.

The theme of swimming comes to the fore in the latter part of the book and the story really finds its stride. You really feel that Joanne is coming of age and finding her niche and it was at this point in the book that I felt it really flowed. There is a propulsive episode on the lake towards the end that was impossible to put down.

Overall this was a well-written, enjoyable debut and I look forward to reading what Charleen Hurtubise writes next. If you enjoyed Una Mannion's A Crooked Tree, I think you'd enjoy this one too. 3/5 stars

*Many thanks to @bonnierbooksuk @eriubooks and '@netgalley for an advance copy of the book. The Polite Act of Drowning will be published on 6 April 2023. As always, this is an honest review.*

Too dark for me I’m afraid. Such difficult and complex issues that this book raises whist very important don’t make for much entertainment.
Characters didn’t inspire me either so it made for a hard read.

At times, this book was hard to read, not due to the writing but due to the sensitive and heart-wrenching topics brought to the page. This coming-of-age, dysfunctional family saga checks off a few of my favorite genres. The Polite Act of Drowning was a gritty and unforgiving novel and my heart went out to Joanne, who was let down by both her family and so-called "friend". The writing was very good and I could definitely imagine myself there amongst the despair of small-town life in Kettle Lake,

I'm glad I finished this book as the ending was satisfying. We were able to glimpse into a happier future for Joanne as she begins to nurture her own interests and develop positive relationships.

Thanks to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for providing me with an ARC for review.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙿𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝙰𝚌𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 (𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹) - 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝙷𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚋𝚒𝚜𝚎

To be published on 6 April.

This is Irish writer, Charleen Hurtubise’s debut novel. I was anticipating an Irish setting but this heartbreaking coming-of-age novel is set in the small Michigan town, Kettle Lake. It is the summer of 1985 and
16 year old Joanne Kennedy is discovering her sexuality and sense of self, while navigating feelings of loneliness and confusion alongside a tumultuous family life marred by trauma and mental health.

'𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗'𝚜 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚞𝚖𝚊. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚝, 𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗.'

It is a slow start but Hurtubise’s writing gives a sensitive and moving story, with beautiful imagery that places the reader right alongside Joanne as she finds a friend in the equally troubled but cruel Lucinda and wanting to save her mother. It’s a story that gently hooks you in, at times a little too slowly, but just when I thought perhaps this is not really going anywhere, I was hooked. The pace is reflective of the closed, small town feel. On the surface not much seems to be happening but the reality is quite different.

⚠️Trigger warning for themes of suicidal ideation and sexual assault.
This is a harrowing story at times and as to be expected given the themes, there are some disturbing and sometimes confronting scenes.

There are equally some moving and heartwarming, glimmer of hope scenes, with kind, compassionate strong women guiding Joanne as she comes to terms with her mother’s deteriorating mental health weighed down by grief and small town attitudes.

This truly did make my heart ache and brought me to tears. As one reviewer on @goodreads wrote, if you like Carson McCullers, who wrote of lost souls and misfits, then you will enjoy this. 4⭐️

Thanks to #NetGalley and @blackandwhitepublishing for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

The author, Charleen Hurtubise, uses words to paint her scenes in front of your eyes. Very lyrical and expressive. The book oozes small town attitudes and claustrophobia. Outsiders are barely tolerated by some, still being marked out even after residing for many years.

There are many important issues covered, grief, sexual identity, mental health, how past trauma can have long reaching effects not only on the victim, but also the wider family.

I’m afraid to say this book wasn’t for me, I’m not the correct fit as a reader. Though I’m sure there will be many who will love it, lapping up the slow, meandering story. It just didn’t grab me, and drag me along for the ride.

I received a free ARC ebook of The Polite Act of Drowning from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I rarely use the word "heart-wrenching" but it certainly applies to this novel. All of the characters are woukkjnded with their bruises not quite healing. (Years ago, my elderly father fell and cut his shin to the bone. He needed long-term wound care for a sore that never really went away. His shin was always bruised and scabbed with a dull, throbbing pain. It made my strong and brave dad feel vulnerable - just like the characters in this novel.)
Joanne is an awkward, ungainly teen living in a family surrounded by secrets and pain. She just doesn't fit anywhere - mostly because she feels so alone and friendless. The appearance of Lucinda, a troubled foster child with pain and secrets of her own, seems to offer the possibility of a friend. Joanne lets her guard down and is soon betrayed. Her loneliness increases like a weight on her soul. Early in the novel a young girl drowns in the lake and Joanne had seen her swimming alone. Joanne's uncertainty about everything increases.
Joanne's mother has secrets as well. A tragedy from her childhood still colors her days, affecting her mental health. Although Joanne and her siblings know little of the tragedy, they sense the presence of all the secrets and the burden that is omnipresent. The drowning of the young girl only increases her mother's desperation.
The meaning of the title isn't clear until near the end; then it's distressing in its quietness and it is oh so perfect for this novel.

How depressing to grow up in a dysfunctional house . Joanne ‘s life was so sad . Her mother had mental health issues that others would not accept , her father lacked a backbone as he refused to acknowledge his wife’s despair on so many things. Joanne ‘s sister and friend Lucinda were mean girls . The drowning episodes did not resonate sadness and the ending one was bizarre. One redeeming part of the book was Joanne found competitive swimming helped her maneuver the many challenges of growing up.

I really struggled to finish this book. I found that the storyline wandered, the characters lacked depth and the ending was unsatisfying

Thank you to NetGalley and Black & White Publishing for ARC of this book.

I have to say, I had a bit of hard time connecting to this book. It covers hard coming of age topics such as sexual identity and mental illness. There were parts where I was totally engaged and some where I felt disconnected. The atmosphere and the time period were enjoyable, but just did not engage well with the characters. Solid 3 stars

Joanne Kennedy is a 16-year-old girl in the Michigan summer of 1985 when she meets Lucinda, a foster kid in Kettle Lake. While Joanne herself has her own problems to face - her sexuality, friends, and her Mothers haunting past, Lucinda eases that. However, Lucinda is a hellraiser for her family, a habitual liar, and a troublemaker. During this summer, Joanne and Lucinda become friends - occasionally more, and she is brought into the chaotic world Lucinda lives in.

"There is, of course, a rumour that they are lesbians, which is what everyone says about girls who spend too much time together."

I really wanted to love this book. Some of the topics discussed were very uncomfortable, but were also more typical of the time, albeit less accepted. But some of the descriptions made my skin crawl, knowing the difference between right and wrong.

"...You don't have to take on another person's trauma. You either pick it up and carry it, or you put it down."

Regardless, I enjoyed the topics surrounding women's mental health and how it can be dismissed as "simply being overwhelmed," or "needing a break from the kids". Rosemary, Joanne's mother was portrayed very well in this aspect. Hare, Joanne's sister may have well been the equivalent of Satan's spawn with how much of an absolute brat she was. More than once I felt utter sympathy for Rosemary and wanted to scream in frustration at how little Hare understood. The topics of marriage and the struggles many couples face and how it affects the surrounding people - friends, family, and especially the kids were wonderfully portrayed. It hit a little close to home but was interesting to see regardless.

"...Hurt doesn't lessen. Its rot spreads and grows, hidden, but not dormant: woodworm tunneling through the timber, eating out the joists. By the time it is noticed, it is too late. The pain is already bringing down the house."

In terms of pacing, everything felt slightly slow. While stuff happens, it doesn't feel like a "big event," or something to truly catch your attention. However, that does change in the last 20 or so pages and brings a form of absolvement and comfort. Regardless, a big part of what made me deeply unsettled besides some of the themes discussed was the slightly disjointed writing. It's not that it wasn't well written, but rather it didn't seem to flow well.

Overall, while I was really on the rocks about this book, and at times I wanted to put it down, it wasn't the worst book that I've read. It had some extremely insightful moments, regarding sexuality, coming-of-age, mental health, and marital issues. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a harrowing, coming-of-age story.

*I received a ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.*