The Unsettling Beauty of Boyhood Violence The latest novel from celebrated author Chang rae Lee, A Tender Age, has been making waves for its unflinching portrayal of childhood trauma and masculinity.
As I read the book, I found myself drawn to a nuanced exploration of the intersections between boyhood, power, and vulnerability.
Lee's protagonist, Jeon Gi, is a middle aged man reflecting on his 11th summer, a period marked by bullying, violence, and the struggles of adolescence.