Music, beer, skateboarding, and tragedy star in this coming-of-age lesson on love and lust and the line that divides them, as 19-year-old Jex experiences a life that meets River’s Edge and Kids with Dazed & Confused––a parentless indie yarn with the dark heart Lutzke is known for.I’ll show up for anything this author writes. ~Sadie Hartmann, Cemetery DanceLutzke has a way with words that … Dance
Lutzke has a way with words that merges horror and compassion in a single sentence. Reminiscent of Robert McCammon.
~Joe Mynhardt, Crystal Lake Publishing
Lutzke is writing on an entirely different level than any other small press/indie author.
~Edward Lorn, author of Bay’s End
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The same deep water as you, is, at its heart, a coming of age story. The setting of the story, skateboarders who live in a town where a series of rapes are occurring, has all of the hallmarks of a great emotional horror book – something Chad does exceptionally well. Only here, to be honest, it isn’t (in my opinion) – horror that is – and that’s also great. I’m pretty broad-minded, I read stories, not always from the same Genre (I have more or less settled on horror recently), so the lack of horror in the book isn’t a detraction. I do have to say, however, that this book, as opposed to say Wallflower or Wormwood, didn’t have the same emotional connection to me. It’s also important to say that regardless of that lack of emotional attachment, Lutzke’s easy-flowing prose made this a book that I flew through. It took less than an hour to read, I believe. Almost unheard of.
The series of events in the book seemed to fall pretty much haphazardly – the MC is as much an observer as we, the readers, are. It is an observational drama, almost diary-like in its presentation. What happens, happens, the MC Jex reacts to what happens and works towards the betterment of his own character and personality. And it’s eminently readable – Lutzke pulls on our memories of the time, with music references, details that make us relate to the characters and their situations.
This book was over very quickly, the writing is fluid, the pace maintained, but I have to say that my emotional attachment was not really there. I’m not really sure that is the point here though. Chad has illustrated a segment of society, living, and learning, doing their thing in a slice of time, and it’s a story that screams attachment to a specific cliché – if you were a skateboarder, or on the outskirts of a skateboarding crew, I have no doubt you will love the book thoroughly. Likewise, the drug scene is well represented, although Rex shies away from partaking too much, money being the obstacle there. I was more or less bedridden in the ’80s, and due to damage to my hip, there was no way I was ever allowed on a skateboard – one slip and it would have been new hip joint time. So, whilst I couldn’t relate to the cliché, I appreciated the glimpse into the culture. And I love Chad’s writing. It’s sharp when it needs to be. He does relationship drama well.
Having said all that, this seemed to pass me by. The ending could go no other way, I think Lutzke gave enough foreshadowing that this read as a tragedy, but because of my lack of emotional involvement, and having known the author’s direction, the ending didn’t surprise me, though it still landed roughly where it should have.
It’s a fast-flowing, observational drama novella, and gets 4 ‘s out of 5.
This book destroyed me.
The subject material hit very close to home, and at first, being back in my past wasn’t easy for me, but knowing how well Chad impacts the heart at the end of the book I had to continue on!
If you hung around a bad crowd or had a hard upbringing, or maybe a little of both, this novella will hit you in the feels. If you are curious to see what that may have looked like, read this. The partying, the craziness being completely normal, the messed up occurrences, and the love in between, it’s all very obscene being a misfit teen.
This novella may have trigger warnings for some: self-harm, suicide, rape. The good news is there’s no super gory, make me gag, details! Chad keeps his writing simple and classy. As classy as these things can be. I really honored the positive life-affirming disclaimer at the end.
This is the second book I’ve now read by Chad Lutzke, and his books hit me right in the twisted heart EVERY SINGLE TIME. Bawled my eyes out at the end of ‘Same Deep Water As You.’
As always he has perfected horror with heart. I look forward to collecting this author’s entire works. Novellas are short, easy to read, and gives you an idea if you will like an author’s style! I like how quick and IMPACTFUL these works have been!
I purchased this book straight from the author so I could get a signed copy, I got a personalized message instead! That was really cool! I’ll cherish that forever! Thanks, Chad! All reviews and opinions are my own and voluntary.