Written by Paul Kevin Wood, KINETIC BLUE opens by honoring “Call Me” by Blondie and doesn’t slow down with its references to the decade of decadence. It is impossible to describe this book without immediately acknowledging the eighties, a period that is evidently loved and well-known by the author. It is a strength of Wood’s writing that he can so intimately reference each facet of culture in his protagonist’s journey.
Hans is our narrator, a warm and gifted young man growing up in southern California. The story is divided into three parts as we accompany Hans through high school, college, and law school. The prose is pleasant and fast paced, peppered with the many diverse characters that Hans encounters: “He said hello and that his name was “Sushi Pat” even though that was not his proper name. He did not live in my dormitory but had wandered in to see someone else.” The vivid descriptions of the eighties make it difficult to be disengaged from the story, but they are more than a simple gimmick; they’re the heart of the book. Hans is not just enjoying the wonders of Bowie and The Smiths; he’s exploring questions of identity and love in a world that’s wrestling with the place of homosexuality while navigating the HIV crisis. KINETIC BLUE is a world in which Reagan is president, America lives in fear of terrorism, and modern technologies are only just becoming commonplace—creating a unique terrain of communication. It’s exciting and confronting to face these issues with a fresh perspective, as they are experienced for the first time by Hans.
KINETIC BLUE balances these serious issues with lighter moments that make up Hans’s day-to-day life. Humorous anecdotes and healthy self-deprecation help the reader consider how America was shaped by politics and world events without sinking into something too dark or serious to enjoy. It’s also wise to detail Hans’s world with both serious moments and lighthearted ones while never sacrificing or dismissing the importance of either.
It is possible that the constant references to the eighties will alienate a reader who cannot make sense of them without a Google search. But it’s just as likely that they will excite the reader who is looking for a nostalgic story or is simply curious about another time. For those who are open-minded, passionate, or reflective, KINETIC BLUE is worth picking up. It’s a dive into a very real and transformative time in history, led by an ordinary American male discovering who he is.
Paul Kevin Wood’s KINETIC BLUE is an engaging and dynamic story with a likeable protagonist who guides the reader through his journey to adulthood. A beautiful homage to the eighties and the highs and lows of growing up.
~ Tess McCumstie for IndieReader