Book Review: A Scout Is Brave

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

A mystery beckons in this eerie blend of Lovecraftian horror and coming of age.

Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1963, the story unfolds in the desolate town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts, a place created by the legendary H.P. Lovecraft. 

Here, Bud Castillo and his family relocate from bustling Queens, New York. Bud finds solace and camaraderie in Aubrey Marsh, a fellow outsider, and the only other boy in town. As Bud grapples with the challenges of adapting to his new surroundings, he clings to the values of scouting, determined to establish a troop in Innsmouth. However, his idyllic summer takes a dark turn when he uncovers Reverend Pritchett’s sinister agenda to revive the town’s former glory.

Drawing parallels to Stephen King’s IT, this novel seamlessly intertwines elements of horror and coming-of-age, narrated through the lens of thirteen-year-old Bud. Like King’s iconic work, it delves into the journey of young protagonists confronting the terrifying unknown while grappling with the complexities of growing up. Bud embodies the quintessential essence of a young boy, proudly displaying a B-25 bomber model in his room, discreetly hiding his mother’s copy of The Feminine Mystique between the mattress and box spring, and cherishing his Schwinn bike despite its ability to ‘buck him like bronco…’. There’s a nostalgic feeling about it all, one further encouraged when Bud and his friend Aubrey can’t imagine becoming adults. Ludwigsen adeptly captures the essence of childhood, portraying Bud as a realistic child of 1960s America. Bud’s identification with the Boy Scouts and his naive yet earnest impression of the world. 

The town of Innsmouth, once bustling with shipbuilding and fishing industries, crumbled in the wake of mysterious catastrophes known as “the Unpleasantness,” leading to the closure of fishing packing plants and residents abandoning it en masse. Yet, as one resident remarks, “nothing dead stays dead forever,” hinting at a flicker of hope amidst Innsmouth’s despair. 

As the Castillo family settles into their new home, they become entangled in the town’s mysteries, uncovering secrets that have been buried for generations. The eccentric inhabitants of Innsmouth, reminiscent of Lovecraft’s characters, add to the eerie atmosphere with their strange habits and enigmatic behavior. Ludwigsen’s skillful control of pacing, coupled with the palpable sense of unease permeating the narrative, stands out as the novel’s greatest strength. 

Furthermore, Ludwigsen’s adept portrayal of the town of Innsmouth as both a physical and metaphorical backdrop adds depth to the narrative by asking the question: Can you ever truly leave your home behind? For the residents of Innsmouth, regardless of how far they’ve gone or how successful they’ve become, they all find themselves returning to the town. By drawing inspiration from Lovecraft’s iconic creation, he creates a story that one could recognize as Lovecraft’s own, while infusing it with his unique voice and perspective.

On a broader scale, Ludwigsen’s novel works because he has so skillfully woven themes of identity, belonging, and the power of community into the fabric of this weird story. With so many themes at play, the novel could have risked becoming muddled or, worse, pretentious and overbearing with symbolism and meaning. Yet, Ludwigsen deftly navigates these complexities by crafting a vivid world within Innsmouth that brings its characters to life, making them feel as though they could step off the pages and move into the house next door (although, maybe you don’t want them to!). Every character is an enigma wrapped in loneliness and love, echoing the sentiment of one resident who remarks, “I’m just trying to tell you these are all lonely people who want one thing, a chance to be loved again.” And who can argue with that? 

This novel is entertaining regardless of your familiarity with Lovecraft’s work. And for those who are fans of Lovecraftian horror, Ludwigsen’s homage to this iconic place will be deeply appreciated.

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