The Alfred Summer by Jan Slepian
Reviewed by Steve Boykin, CHEC Volunteer
Interactions with others can be difficult for disabled teens, especially if the condition is visible. Two of the main characters in Jan Slepian's novel, The Alfred Summer, are disabled; all are experiencing the growing pains of adolescence.
Lester who has cerebral palsy, sees himself as a puppet controlled by his mother and is constantly thinking about how others view him. Claire is coping with her skinny appearance; Myron is struggling mightily with his awkwardness, shyness, and inarticulateness and feels controlled by the females in his family. Only Alfred is comfortable with himself as his mental retardation prevents him from recognizing many real dangers and from imagining others.
Slepian alternates between first and third person points of view, using, using the main character, Lester, as her first-person narrator. She resorts to third person to relay to the reader essential information about Alfred and his family that Lester would not be privy to.
As the story unfolds, the four teens become good friends. During the summer alluded to in the title, Lester, Claire, and Myron grow in understanding and maturity through their relationship with Alfred. Through Claire, Myron learns the importance of acting sure of himself even when he doesn't feel confident. At the end of the story, under very trying conditions, Myron demonstrates his ability to remain in control.
In Alfred, Lester sees for the first time someone with more problems than he has and someone who does not regard them as liabilities. After twice saving Alfred's life, Lester becomes more self-reliant, wins his father's grudging respect, and for the first time feels himself free of his mother. Myron's display of self-confidence provides the final example that Lester needs to confirm this independence.
The characters are engaging and easily win the readers' sympathy. In her foreword, Slepian notes that her inspiration for the work came from her mentally handicapped brother who "reached out and touched more people than most of us do." The best audience for Slepian's endeavor is probably children as they would most readily identify with the main characters and, one hopes, gain via reading an understanding similar to Lester's. By identifying with Lester, Claire, and Myron, children may empathize with Alfred and better understand the disabled; however, they may find the message of becoming self-confident by acting confident more compelling as this theme is developed throughout the story.
The characters and situations lack the complexity, subtlety, and depth needed to seriously engage a more mature audience. My Left Foot, by Christy Brown, and Born on a Blue Day, by David Hammet, would be better choices for teens and adults.
Community Health Education Ctr PZ7.S6318 A4 2001 Non-circulating
To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.