Cape Henry House by Jolly Walker Bittick
What's It About?
Do you miss those carefree days of youth or are you in those carefree days of youth? When being wild was a badge of honor and you could still manage to go to work even after an all-nighter of partying.Cape Henry House by Jolly Walker Bittick, based on a true coming of age story, follows 21-year-old Petty Officer Third Class Bosner over a three-week period during his own carefree days of youth.
It’s 2008. Bosner is a helicopter greaser in the U.S. Navy working long hours and looking to let loose during his off-hours. He has a car he named the Green Beater (remember when all cars had names?) and a group of friends who just got themselves a house off base where they can be on their own, drink a few beers and relax. Christened “Cape Henry House,” it quickly becomes the place to be, and what follows is a coming-of-age story for the ages. Amidst the young adult decadence of parties, strippers and booze, the group stumbles from barroom to bedroom. They find themselves and each other in compromising positions and grow closer before, ultimately, going their separate ways.
ENJOYING THE FREEDOM OF THEIR EARLY 20S
Personally, I’ve known guys just like Bosner and his friends (a full cast of crazy characters); the frat guys of my own college youth could (almost) rival Bosner and his crew. Maybe, think Animal House. It’s the wildest time of their lives. At 21, they have most of the freedom that comes with adulthood but few of the responsibilities. The memories they create here will last a lifetime, and as he gets older, Bosner will likely want to relive this period again and again, much the same way that a star football player might want to relive that big game.
Despite the drama (and maybe because of it), the combination of laughter, drinking and bonding that occurs over the three weeks at Cape Henry House has left Bosner and his motley group of friends with a host of “remember whens” that will stay with them forever. Even in the midst of the parties, the author states, “the gang mostly understood that the dynamic of the partying at the house was not workable for the long haul. Most understood that enjoying the times for what they were was probably best.” And they did just that.
CASUAL WRITING AND CRAZY CHARACTERS
The author’s writing style is easy and casual, and the dialogue feels authentic. You feel like you know these guys (actually, there are some women included in there as well), and you are right there with them in their alcohol (really, just beer) induced haze. They fight, they make up and they experience a unique and intimate closeness that may never be replicated.
Nothing lasts forever, though, and eventually, life moves on. Some of the group is sent overseas, some find love, and all move forward with their lives. But the gang (and the reader!) are left with many laughs and a strong sense of nostalgia for this truly wild ride. Embodying the outrageous and entertaining sort of “one-time-in-my-twenties” stories, Cape Henry House will appeal to readers looking for a fun and laid-back tale featuring a crazy cast of characters.
Cape Henry House is available for purchase from Google Books, Apple Books and the retailers below.
