Review: The Pebble Champion by Alan David Pritchard

Author Alan David Pritchard delves deep into trauma and loss, as well as identity and self-discovery in his new novel, The Pebble Champion, a stirring tale of sadness and self-discovery.

After the tragic loss of his mother, 15-year-old Chris Elliot finds his world turned upside-down, and his sense of home torn asunder. This novel traces his path forward, and details the nuances of teenage life and development with remarkably clear and agonizing accuracy. Not only is the story touching, but also widely relatable; though no reader will have experienced exactly the same struggles, the humanity on display as Chris muddles through, suffers, and survives is poignantly captured.

Watching a young person go through trauma, periods of self-discovery, and significant emotional growth is not always pretty, but it is a social equalizer in many ways. Giving young readers this type of perspective is invaluable, as everyone encounters conflicts of their own as they grow up. The regular flashbacks to memories of his mother and moments from childhood help to fill out the picture of Chris as a character, further investing readers in his emotional wellbeing and fate.

The exploration of family is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the prose, specifically the unexpected relationship with his father, Marmaduke, a veritable stranger. Bonding for the first time over shared grief makes for powerful writing, and as the pair discover they have more in common than one might expect, the most powerful emotions and revelations of the story come to light. While the scenes of school are interesting, and the development of relationships with school chums and other relatives is important to the plot, the link between this father and son is the golden heart of this novel.

The titular subject of skipping stones is also a potent recurring symbol – of perpetual improvement, of self-soothing, of disappointment and blind luck, and so many other compelling themes that weave throughout the plot. The simple innocence of this pastime, juxtaposed with the repeated losses of innocence faced by the main character, gives the story a sense of profundity and wisdom, despite Chris’s age.

On the more technical side, there are some thin narrative areas, which could be padded with more visceral or engaging description. At times, the writing seems to fall short: “The place is incredible. Imagine a mad artist’s studio and you’ll get the picture. The space is small but well-lit and incredibly busy.” In moments like this one, a reader wants to be transported, and Pritchard clearly has the skill to do so, but instead leaves the description hollow or unfulfilling. Passages like these are scattered throughout the prose, where the storytelling slightly disappoints.

In other moments, however, the unique thought patterns of the narrator are brilliant, reflecting the tangential nature of the mind, and the way ideas bubble and brew, changing and growing as they twist in our internal monologue. To capture a period of change and self-discovery so beautifully, so tenderly, is no easy feat, and Pritchard taps into those truths with ease.

Overall, this novel hums with youthful vigor, exploring sensitive subjects with honest, raw emotion through the eyes of a truly captivating young protagonist.