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Award-winning author of The Drowners, David Anderson hails from the cold, wet streets of Dublin. Like a Hummingbird, after college, he migrated south to warmer climes. Namely, sunny Spain, where he teaches students who are bemused by hearing the Queen's English delivered in an Irish brogue. In 2021, he won a YA Watty award.
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
The Drowners by David A. Anderson is a raw and emotionally charged coming-of-age novel that follows Aaron, a disaffected teen struggling to make sense of a world that feels relentlessly hostile and confusing. Aaron was expelled from school and was trying to restart. Plagued by dark dreams and a deep sense of disconnection, Aaron’s life turns hopeful when he meets Robbie, a charismatic aspiring actor with a shared love of De Niro films. Through a deeper understanding of each other’s inner demons, the two form a strong friendship. Together, they navigate the highs and lows of adolescence, facing love, violence, racial tensions, self-doubt, and the trauma of a dark past that refuses to stay buried. But as the pressures of growing up increase and secrets threaten to disrupt their fragile peace, Aaron is forced to confront the harshness of the outside world and the darkness within himself.
Author David A. Anderson captures the complexities of adolescence and the profound impact of friendship. Aaron is a compelling protagonist. He is sarcastic, intelligent, and deeply wounded by his past. I loved how his inner monologue is both heartbreaking and darkly funny. The friendship between Aaron and Robbie is the heart of the story. It is full of genuine feelings, authenticity, and the incredible friendship that two boys have. Anderson doesn’t shy away from the uglier sides of growing up, offering unfiltered glimpses into racism, toxic masculinity, and mental illness. However, he balances the darkness with moments of relief and hope for Aaron. The pace and narrative style are perfect, and the character development is phenomenal, to say the least. The Drowners is not just a story of growing up; it’s a story of survival and rising above the odds.
