Forever Free
“He was a good-looking young man, early 20s, with the face every woman wanted to kiss and every man wanted to punch.”
Jurrell A. Pabrezis’ novel Forever Free opens with this description of the main character’s younger brother. Grayson and Donovan Alexander grew up in a tough neighborhood outside of Boston, where their mother’s fight with addiction shaped their formative years and led them to rely heavily on one another. In the wake of a terrible loss, the brothers must navigate the transition to adulthood: Grayson with unrelenting determination and aspirations for the future, Donovan with a heavy dependence on his older sibling for guidance and direction.
The brothers join a local wrestling club where they are able to channel their physical energy, develop focus and discipline and, ultimately, find a new family. The brotherhood and belonging they experience within the club, however, are threatened by Donovan’s untethered attitude as he experiments with the very substances that claimed their mother’s life and fractured their family in the first place.
PABREZIS HIGHLIGHTS TOPICS UNDERREPRESENTED IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION
The story is told primarily through the eyes of Grayson, the determined and loyal older brother who would give everything to keep his younger sibling afloat. Forever Free is notable for its focus on masculine characters and its setting, both of which are underrepresented in contemporary fiction. As the two brothers try to make a mark on the world of amateur wrestling, the author explores themes of addiction, loyalty and family conflict, which are applicable to a broad audience, from a truly original perspective.
The author himself was born in Boston and has lived the better part of his life in Massachusetts. In this, his debut novel, Pabrezis presents a fictionalized version of his own experience joining a local wrestling club to train and give him focus. The memories of that time and the relationships he built inspired him to reach for greater things and taught him the importance of being loyal to the people close to him. In Forever Free, Pabrezis explores not only these themes, but the careful balance one must achieve in helping others and taking care of oneself. In order to find happiness and achieve meaningful success in life, difficult decisions must be made. Supporting someone we love sometimes means letting them face the consequences of their actions and bad decisions.
ENTERTAINING DIALOGUE AND INTERACTIONS PAVES WAY FOR CHARACTER GROWTH
The novel includes interesting and entertaining dialogue as well as detailed interactions between characters within the story. In addition to developing the characters, conversations between Grayson and Donovan, or with members of the supporting cast, drive the most moving and important moments of the book. Boston is the backdrop for the majority of this story and provides an exciting, vibrant atmosphere where anything seems possible. Grayson and Donovan visit the city on several occasions with their friend; the outings serve as a great illustration of the fun and fulfillment that Grayson too often must sacrifice to track down his wandering younger brother.
The primary conflicts of the book are presented and highlighted on many occasions through the use of inner monologue: How can Grayson help his brother avoid the same mistakes their mother made? Why does he always have to be the responsible one? When will Donovan take responsibility for himself and start taking life more seriously? These are just a few of the questions that the main character and narrator, Grayson, asks himself throughout the story.
Author Pabrezis has utilized a unique perspective to craft a novel that moves beyond the initial conflict to grow more complex and interesting as the story progresses. Forever Free will appeal to readers interested in a story featuring strong, male characters that explores themes of brotherhood and loyalty.
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About Jurrell Pabrezis:
