JHS grad writes novel set in Alex
Anybody remember Clyde Henry? He graduated from Jefferson High in 1969 so he's younger than most of us. He's all grown up now, finished a successful career as an architect, then sat down and wrote a novel after he attended his high school reunion in Forada.
Guess what? It's about us. Haven't read the book yet, but we got some notes from Clyde yesterday and it looks like a must-read.
Still can't remember him? Here's his photo and his first email to the trailboss. He writes:At last my novel, Stanley James, is nationally available. So far the reviews have been overwhelmingly good. I am a member of the Class of 1969. After our last class reunion at the Forada Supper Club, (described in detail in Chapter Twelve: Finding My Old Friend), I wrote Stanley James.
The story setting is Alexandria. The first chapters take place in the 1950-60’s, then the story leaps to our class reunion in 2005. So far it has been called disturbing, sensational, bold, incredibly deep, emotional and brilliantly written. While I’ve enjoyed the praise, I have enjoyed even more hearing from so many old friends. The profits from the sale of the book are being used for a scholarship, so we are hoping the sales will be good. I hope you will help out by putting an item in the JHS Boomers.
Here's what it says on the book jacket:
Masquerading as an innocent story, this 1950’s account of bright boys and girls in a new Catholic school is not a naive tale. Marring the optimism of this ideal small town are whispers of damaged children, of inappropriate miracles and of other unmentionable imperfections. One of the flawed children is Stanley James, another is the narrator. The novel answers such timeless questions as “Can God make a rock so big he cannot lift it?” “What’s under a nun’s habit?” and “Can a retarded boy be a hero?” Think Huckleberry Finn crossed with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
And:
Clyde Henry draws heavily on his experiences as a learning disabled student at St. Mary’s Catholic school in Alexandria, Minnesota. Despite his handicap, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Cloud State University and obtained a Masters of Architecture from The Ohio State University. He went on to become the co-founder of TRIAD Architects, one of the nation’s leading design firms. Now in his fifties, he has turned to writing witty and stinging novels from a slightly skewed perspective.
Want to get the book?
It is available in both hard cover and paperback. The easiest way to get it is on- line from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Amazon’s current price is $15.47 for paper back.
Barnes & Noble’s current price is $14.39 ($12.95 member price) for paperback.
If a local book store doesn’t have it, they can order it: the wholesale distribution numbers are - ISBN: 1436361451· and ISBN-13: 9781436361453
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Trailboss writes: Thanks, Clyde. Sounds like it may take some courage to read the book. Wonder if the Cherry Bookstore in Alex has it? Obert, don't you hang out there? My sister Sam stopped there with Mom over Christmas and enjoyed the place. We need a book report from you, pronto, cub.
Still don't remember Clyde? He says some classmates at his 2005 reunion remembered him for making class interesting by the kind of questions he asked teachers. He also said that teachers warned girls not to associate with him because he was "trashy." He recalls being part of an organized sit-in, perhaps the only one ever, in the principal's office. He didn't participate in much extra-curricular stuff because he had a job.
65er Lorlee Bartos also attended the big 2005 reunion event in Forada, which was held simultaneously with the Class of 1965's in Nelson, I think. Funny, I don't recall Lorlee writing a novel, but I have forgotten a lot.
Why would Clyde name his main character "Stanley" for goodness sake, Clyde was asked. Stanley, after all, is usually the guy in commercials who has dandruff or needs a deodorant or needs a scolding from his obviously smarter wife. Right? Stanley! of all things!
Clyde says:
"I think the name, Stanley James, fits the main character. It is a grown-up sounding name for a kid who is struggling to understand the adult world around him."
Oh. Well, alright then.
