The Venerable Vincent Beattie

Vincent is a privileged introvert navigating his formative years at two elite Manhattan private schools in the late-2000s. He plays sports, acts, ballroom dances, and lives a teenage life of which many would dream. But as eighth grade comes to a close, Vincent will be moving from a suit-and-tie single-sex education to an easygoing, co-ed high school. His future goals consist of finding his first girlfriend, making a large group of friends, and figuring out what he wants to do for a career. Yet, his neurotic and rigid nature, troubling familial relationships, and inherent cowardice make growing up in this world exceedingly tricky and painful.

The Venerable Vincent Beattie is stylistically similar to some classic, early 20th-century fiction, but the story is told through a contemporary filter, where texting, Blackberrys, Facebook, Instagram, Skype, and the 2000s' famed music and pop culture are a focal point. This relatable story occasionally cuts away from the narrative to show what music a character is listening to, along with pages of solely texted conversations. It combines the tried-and-true formula of the coming-of-age novel with updates from the new millennium, creating a fascinatingly unique reading experience.