The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner is a young adult (Y.A.) coming-of-age novel set in small town Forrestville, Tennessee. The story centres on the secrets, hopes and fears of three high school misfits.
What is The Serpent King about?
The main protagonist is Dillard Early Junior, or Dill to his only two loyal friends, Lydia and Travis. With his zealous and unrepentant pastor father in jail, Dill struggles against prejudice from the community and also a hard-working, cash-strapped mother who is determined to crush his dreams. Meanwhile, fashion lover blogger Lydia is determined to break out of bigoted Forrestville for New York. While Travis retreats into fantasy novels to avoid his violent and judgemental father.
The Author’s Back Story
Jeff Zentner is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has worked with young musician at Tennessee Rock Camp. And this inspired him to write The Serpent King. Zentner’s love and talent for music shines out in Dill. I don’t usually read Y.A. fiction and to be honest when I picked it off the shelf at Barter Books, I didn’t realise it was. However, I’m so glad I did as the author has created three fantastic characters.
My Verdict of The Serpent King
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner is a brilliant debut novel. He perfectly captures the high school hierarchy, the bitchiness and snide comments. But The Serpent King is much more than that. Zentner evokes an oppressive, claustrophobic and fearful atmosphere of dysfunctional families; of brooding violence, of teenage angst and of those parents who make their children’s lives hell.
However, the Serpent King is a triumph of the human spirit over adversity, the power of friendship and family, and ultimately of hope. I love the quote Lydia includes in her college resume from her idol and fellow Tennessean Dolly Parton:
‘If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.’
Zentner skilfully weaves an emotional narrative as we follow Dill, Lydia and Travis as they yearn to break free and for something better. The author makes you believe anything is possible. And that is a special gift. I highly recommend The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner whatever your age. Five Stars.