From the author of Thunder and Lightning: Oliver, a bullied young man, is sent to detention for the actions of his bullies, where he meets the new student in school, Samuel. Samuel is an openly gay young man, and by meeting him, Oliver wants to open his own identity up more, but is scared due to his family's and small town's attitudes. All hell breaks loose when Samuel visits Oliver's house.
First Impressions: Thunder and Lightning is a short story, which I read in one sitting. It deals with difficult subjects that are sadly relevant today, such as bullying and prejudice. Oliver’s despair and helplessness felt all too real: within the first few pages, I realized the whole world was against him, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Cover and Setting: The cover is bold and makes perfect sense within the context of the story. The setting is a small town—so small that Oliver is astonished when he finally meets someone who understands him. Oliver’s high school feels empty other than himself and his bully, which is interesting because it highlights how his bully demands his constant attention and prevents him from enjoying his life. It also shows the silent complicity of his classmates and the unwillingness of his teachers to protect him.
Plot: The plot of Thunder and Lightning is predictable, but at the same time, it is both realistic and relatable. It explores Oliver’s struggles to exist in an environment marked by homophobia. He faces challenges both at school and at home, from his peers and from his family. His desire for acceptance remains a consistent theme throughout the story.
Characters: Oliver is the only character whose feelings are explored in depth. Although he is treated poorly by his classmates and by the important adults in his life, he is not rebellious or retaliatory. At the beginning of the story, Oliver is coming from a place of defeat, having dealt with cruelty and contempt throughout his entire life. I enjoyed reading how his mindset changed when he met Samuel. Samuel brought a glimmer of hope into Oliver’s otherwise dreary existence. Samuel provides a picture of what Oliver’s life could have been if he had been valued as a person. The other characters in the story—the school bully, Oliver’s teacher, and Oliver’s family—are portrayed as one-dimensional. Perhaps this is how Oliver viewed them due to their constant abuse.
Final Thoughts: The thing that stuck with me the most about this story was Oliver’s innocence. Ultimately, he was merely a boy who longed to be understood and accepted. I felt like there was so much more of Oliver’s story that could have been explored! I would have enjoyed learning more about his background, especially the details about his family and the reasons for their beliefs. In the end, Thunder and Lightning serves as a tragic reminder that life is precious in all its variations.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book reviewed above.
Patrick J. Murphy III
Patrick J. Murphy III is an aspiring writer, director, and producer. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Ohio State University for theater. Patrick currently lives in northwestern Illinois. As a member of the LGBT+ community, he feels that it is important to share its stories, teachings, and history. He has also published “The Last Touch: A Collection of Poems” and Talk Nerdy to Me on Wattpad. When not writing, Patrick enjoys reading, watching Netflix, and cooking.
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Author photograph by Stephanie Dribus
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