Charlie-Man - by Thomas Cullen (Paperback)

About the Book

A student in his final year at a prestigious school relies on a friend while struggling with relationships and university admissions; but he faces a reckoning when his friend's dark side is revealed.

Book Synopsis

It's August 1994, and Charlie Stewart begins his final year at St. Mark's Episcopal School, a prestigious all-boys school in Richmond, Virginia. Charlie, an undistinguished student by St. Mark's standards, faces tough odds as he seeks to rekindle his relationship with Katy Hendricks, a beautiful tennis star, and gain admission to a highly selective state university.

Through it all, Charlie relies on Beau Miller, his best friend and the top student athlete in their class. Despite Beau's movie-star looks and infectious charm, he has a darker side, which becomes more apparent as the year progresses.

Charlie endures his trials with wry determination and ultimately emerges with a renewed sense of purpose. This is a heartrending but hopeful story of one boy's journey toward manhood in the American South.

Review Quotes

"Thomas Cullen's Charlie-Man is a fine example of a YA novel that doubles as adult literary fiction. In this coming-of-age roman à clef, Charlie Stewart navigates his senior year at a Richmond prep school, still wounded from his father's premature death. Somewhat of an outsider in this milieu of privileged southern families-his friends attend tennis academies at Hilton Head, plan on Ivy League admittances, would never venture into the poorer parts of Richmond-Charlie finds himself trying to make sense of everything, while dealing with a mother who's in a downward spiral. This is a wonderful debut, with rich descriptions."

"Charlie-Man is an absolute masterpiece, the rare book that gets everything just right. It's wise and genuine and poignant, but-and this is the magic-it also tells a remarkably entertaining story from start to finish. I very much enjoyed my time with Charlie, and I'm grateful for the trip through his world."

"High school is supposed to be fun, stimulating, and transformational. It is often all that and more. Occasionally, however, it is the scene of tragedy too. In this first novel, Judge Thomas Cullen tells the compelling story of Charlie Stewart's senior year at a prestigious prep school in Richmond, Virginia. Charlie and his best friend, Beau, navigate the social, academic, and athletic challenges of their senior year as a trusting team, a band of brothers, only to experience shocking misfortune. Cullen is a natural and colorful storyteller, and this absorbing story will warm your heart and renew your faith in the sanctity of authentic friendship."

"Cullen portrays Charlie and his classmates as authentic teenagers awkwardly but earnestly navigating the world, often to amusing effect, and he evokes the prep school world of 1990s Richmond, Virginia with both nostalgia and honesty. You root for the quiet but determined Charlie to get the girl, win the race, and find the confidence to make himself whole again. Insightful, heart-breaking, both tender and raucous, Charlie-Man is a moving tale of friendship, loss, hope, and the winding road to manhood."

"Charlie-Man is a wonderfully written debut novel that immerses readers in a teen's life and makes us feel like we are standing on the sidelines and feeling all the emotions that Charlie cycles through." - Novels Alive, Five-Star Review

"Reading Charlie-Man by Thomas Cullen felt like stepping into a real and emotional journey of growing up....It's a book that feels honest and human, reminding us that growing up is never simple, but hope can still shine through." - Book Reviews Café

"Charlie-Man is an engaging read, with a nostalgic tone that makes it ideal for young adults, new adults, and older adults alike....The thread of a purposeful and focused young man is apparent throughout, making this a perfect storyline for classroom or book group discussions." - Kimberly Monaghan, Books Uplift review