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The Night Tommy Swanson Died Paperback – January 1, 2019

by Jack Merridew (Author)

4.5 121 ratings

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Tommy Swanson died the summer before my tenth birthday. He hanged himself from the monkey bars of the playground across the street. That entire summer, I had dreams about him. Sometimes, we would go to the carnival and look at one another in the funhouse mirrors. Other times, we'd ride our bicycles up and down the street until our legs were so tired, we could barely walk. All my life, I thought those dreams would be the best I'd ever have, but the summer of my fourteenth birthday, I had even better dreams. They're different now. Tommy and I don't ride bicycles anymore. Instead, we kiss. We kiss all night long, and when I wake up, I cry because Tommy Swanson is dead and he's never coming back. Why did he do it? He must've had a reason. Does anybody know? Doesn't anybody care what happened the night Tommy Swanson died?

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (January 1, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 181 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1790551749
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1790551743
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,927,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #56,660 in LGBTQ+ Romance (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 121 ratings

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J. Merridew
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My name is Jack Merridew and I want to live in a world full of pretty boys, slow dances and homecoming kings. I was closeted as hell in high school, and because of that, I missed out on all that good parts about growing up, but maybe I don't have to anymore. So even if my real life is a mess, I'll make sure my online life isn't. I'll hang boxing gloves from my bedpost and style my hair like James Dean and cuddle Mickey Mouse while smiling and telling stories about first dates and heartbreak.
You should follow me online if you don't already. It's tons of fun. I make a lot of my money from selling sex (I know, it's bad), but I have a feeling that I can make a lot of money selling love, too. So, here I am, writing stories about pretty boys kissing each other.
I hope you enjoy them. Take them with you wherever you go-- on camping trips with your boy scout troupe in Peppermint Forest, or tanning with your friends down by Snowflake Lake. I hope you find something in these stories to fall in love with because that'd be pretty amazing.
Love you guys.
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Jack Merridew
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Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They find the emotional content heartwarming and sad, connecting to their most vulnerable times in life. The characters are described as simplistic but effective, with enough depth and personality to feel like real people. The book manages to grab readers' attention and keep them wanting more. Readers appreciate the author's insightful pacing and eye for imagery. Overall, they describe the book as an interesting mix of themes that support individuality.

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Story quality Writing style Emotional content Character development Attention span Pacing Style

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story. They find the first chapter intriguing and the book hooks them in with its lovely tale about growing up and learning to be yourself. The twists in the story create an experience they will never forget. Readers describe the book as good teen fiction that blends comedy and tragedy. They also mention the ending is beautiful.

"...In all, the story is planned well, and is witten in a way that makes in an easy read...." Read more

"...as a writer, Merridew goes for truth, both truth in comedy and truth in tragedy...." Read more

"...but don't let that stop you from reading this; it's still a very good story." Read more

"...unimaginative in less capable hands is turned into an intriguing, engaging tale of a young man coming of age, and to terms with himself, in what..." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style captivating and well-crafted. They praise the author's skill with language, characters, dialogue, and setting. The book is described as an easy read that can be completed in a single sitting.

"...I am happy to say that his written content is just as captivating, and manages to tackle real issues than not only face LGBT people, but young..." Read more

"...He still has an ear for phrasing and pacing. He still has an eye for imagery and inventing a setting...." Read more

"...This was a great novella from a writer that I hope will continue to write...." Read more

"...It's not the heaviest reading material content wise, and could certainly be read through in a single sitting...." Read more

6 customers mention "Emotional content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging. They say it connects to their most vulnerable times in life and is beautifully sad.

"...determination to provide true aid, refreshing comfort, and heartfelt encouragement to his target, primarily, marginalized audience...." Read more

"...projects, 'The Night Tommy Swanson Died' is an exciting, sometimes heartwarming, other times heart wrenching, coming of age story that, in it's own..." Read more

"...Both thematically and emotionally. I adored the writing style (though it could use some tweaks) and loved the character structure...." Read more

"...this novel is well written and connects to our most vulnerable time in life and twists it to create an experience you will never forget...." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development simple but effective. They say the characters have enough depth and personality to feel like real people. The book provokes thought that are universally applicable and support individuality.

"...here successfully provide insight and provoke thought that are universally human, universally applicable, and universally real...." Read more

"...intrigues the reader from the very beginning, a likeable and relatable protagonist, and a world that I hope Merridew expands on in future projects, '..." Read more

"...the writing style (though it could use some tweaks) and loved the character structure. Thank you Jack... Now I'm hooked. I need more." Read more

"...engaging and provoking with a good mix of several themes that support individuality and keeping true to ones self...." Read more

3 customers mention "Attention span"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's attention span. They find it an easy read that keeps their interest and keep wanting more. The book leaves them feeling emotionally and thematically satisfied.

"...It's so much more than what the synopsis makes it out to be, and it blew me away. Both thematically and emotionally...." Read more

"This book definitely kept me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down. Every night before bed I would read it. I wanted to know what happened next...." Read more

"I loved the book. It was an easy read and Jack really manages to grab your attention and not let go throughout the entire story...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and insightful. They say it tackles real issues faced by people other than LGBT.

"...say that his written content is just as captivating, and manages to tackle real issues than not only face LGBT people, but young adults in general...." Read more

"...Here, Merridew is just as insightful as usual, but he is also poignant. He still has an ear for phrasing and pacing...." Read more

"...The story is appropriate for young to older teens and touches on some difficult issues that may come up for growing adolescents...." Read more

3 customers mention "Style"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's style. They find it interesting, charming, and engaging. The author has a good eye for imagery and creating settings. The book offers a good mix of themes that support individuality.

"...He still has an ear for phrasing and pacing. He still has an eye for imagery and inventing a setting...." Read more

"...Written by YouTuber Jack Merridew, a funny, charming, and charismatic young man who discusses topics relating to the gay community, as well his..." Read more

"...by Jack Merridew, the story is engaging and provoking with a good mix of several themes that support individuality and keeping true to ones self...." Read more

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Nathen Daniel
Did not disappoint!
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019
Verified Purchase

The Night Tommy Swanson Died was a great read. The writing style was slightly different than expected, and because of that it did take me a moment to get into. In all, the story is planned well, and is witten in a way that makes in an easy read.

Merridew does a good job at bringing in different genres, and weaving them together in a captivating way. Once I got into the story, I didn’t want to leave the twisted world the author created.

I was an early subscriber to Jack’s YouTube channel, and was happy to purchase the book as a way of saying thanks for all the help his digital content has given me over the years.

I am happy to say that his written content is just as captivating, and manages to tackle real issues than not only face LGBT people, but young adults in general. I look forward to reading the next one!

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David A Peyton
This Is Not That
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
Here you will find yet another facet of J. Merridew's creativity.

Jack Merridew is an established talent on his YouTube Channel, where he demonstrates proficiency as a videographer, editor, prop-man, and script-writer. As a performer in that medium he often approaches a comedic energy level comparable to Robin Williams (he talks so fast that he often swallows his own air, and, accordingly, often burps, just barely breaking stride), and an appreciation for words comparable to George Carlin's (and, with all due respect, neither of those performers ever assumed exclusive responsibility for their own sets, filming, editing, marketing, and management). Merridew's Channel focuses primarily, but not entirely, on life's container: the body. YouTube seems to think of Merridew as a Lenny Bruce; and, Merridew seems unfazed. While more often than not Merridew is unabashedly stretching the boundaries of outrageous farce, he is almost always doing so with a conscious determination to provide true aid, refreshing comfort, and heartfelt encouragement to his target, primarily, marginalized audience. To the extent that he reaches for those outside of his own experience with reality, he appreciates, as Oscar Wilde said, "if you are going to tell people the truth, you had better make them laugh, or they will kill you." If you are expecting the YouTube performer, this is not that. If the YouTube performer isn't to your liking, the author still merits your attention.

Merridew's writing focuses on life's container's contents: thoughts and feelings, ideas and emotions, processing experiences of heroism and tragedy. Here, Merridew is neither frenetic, nor farcical. Here, Merridew is just as insightful as usual, but he is also poignant. He still has an ear for phrasing and pacing. He still has an eye for imagery and inventing a setting. Here, Merridew, continues with some of the best life-moments, images and ideas that he employed in "Fireworks Over Suburbia" and "Teenage Idol," (feeling different; following; conformity; uniformity; fear; regret; forgiveness; fairness; honesty; deceit; love; the beauty of fireworks, especially green fireworks; prayer; personal relationships; integrity; individuality). And, now, here, he has polished those life-moments, images and ideas and deployed them in a more sophisticated and developed story. His narrator is someone akin to a more well-integrated Holden Caufield. His craftsmanship with language, characters, dialogue, and setting is real. If it is somehow helpful to you,, Merridew is sort of in a category comparable to Harlan Ellison or Kurt Vonnegut. Still, Merridew's writing here is not derivative; it is unique, rooted in his own processing of his own reality. His writing is consistent with his conscious determination to primarily provide true aid, refreshing comfort, and heartfelt encouragement to his marginalized audience. However, neither he, nor his audience are so completely marginalized that Merridew does not here successfully provide insight and provoke thought that are universally human, universally applicable, and universally real. For anyone and everyone, as a child, as an adolescent, as an adult "being just like everyone else is easy. It's the easiest thing you'll ever do."

Both as a performer and as a writer, Merridew goes for truth, both truth in comedy and truth in tragedy. With so many creative options to explore, he could easily be spread too thin. His commitment to quality is evident. The trajectory established with his writings is evidence of even greater potential.

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Mickey Cannon
A fun read from a promising writer
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
A mix of southern Gothic, Fahrenheit 451, and Love, Simon. This was a great novella from a writer that I hope will continue to write. For the sake of a balanced review, I will say the author could have been helped tremendously by an editor, but don't let that stop you from reading this; it's still a very good story.

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8 people found this helpful

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Robert Floyd
Promising debut from a new author
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
The Night Tommy Swanson Died is what one could call a "coming of age horror story." Written by YouTuber Jack Merridew, a funny, charming, and charismatic young man who discusses topics relating to the gay community, as well his experiences within it, 'The Night Tommy Swanson Died' is a promising debut from a new (and up and coming? one could hope) author. Merridew has an interesting style, and what could have been mundane and unimaginative in less capable hands is turned into an intriguing, engaging tale of a young man coming of age, and to terms with himself, in what could be described as an horrific alternate 1950's America.

If the book has any faults, it would be that it is a bit on the short side, though that could certainly be a positive for some. It's not the heaviest reading material content wise, and could certainly be read through in a single sitting. The first chapter is definitely intriguing enough to hook you in, and the more you read, the more you get drawn into this oddly warped world Merridew manages to create. That could be another small gripe, in that I was left wanting to see and learn more about this wonderfully twisted world Merridew's characters inhabit.

Speaking of characters, they aren't the most well developed, but the most important ones tend to have enough depth and personality to feel like real people, people you can care about. The side characters and antagonists tend to be a bit underdeveloped for my liking, but again, they have just enough personality injected into them to help readers invoke memories of people they may have known at some point in their own lives. The bullies and the stern, rigid parents who we all felt we could never understand or relate to as children, only to understand them all to well as adults. Simplistic character development, but effective enough.

With the book's short length, the plot and story moves at a rather brisk pace. Merridew had an idea and a vision and crafted a lean, well told story in just under 200 pages. With a plot and concept that hooks and intrigues the reader from the very beginning, a likeable and relatable protagonist, and a world that I hope Merridew expands on in future projects, 'The Night Tommy Swanson Died' is an exciting, sometimes heartwarming, other times heart wrenching, coming of age story that, in it's own delightfully twisted way, demonstrates just how messy and confusing the transition from childhood into adulthood can be.

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Inseo H.
Wow
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
I wasn't expecting this and i couldn't put the book down until i was finished.
My nose are still sniffy from crying but the ending was just beautiful.
Definitely looking forward to Jack's next book!

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Brennan
Ehh...
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
This author shows great promise; however, it gets very boring as you start to read. There isnt must to it.

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Franck Beaudrier
Un commentaire macabre sur le fait de grandir en étant homosexuel aux USA dans les années 1950.
Reviewed in France on October 1, 2024
Verified Purchase

Ce livre est un commentaire macabre sur le fait de grandir en tant qu'homosexuel en Amérique. The Night Tommy Swanson Died (qui signifie en français la nuit où Tommy Swanson est mort) est plus éloquent que son premier livre Fireworks Over Suburbia et que son deuxième livre Teenage Idol. Ce troisième livre peut être pris plus au sérieux parce que Jack Merridew montre qu'il a évolué en tant que jeune écrivain. Il est devenu une personnalité populaire sur YouTube, dont le public est majoritairement constitué de jeunes hommes homosexuels. C'est un militant LGBT autoproclamé et un auteur. Le YouTuber/auteur est né à Allentown, Pennsylvanie, USA. Il a obtenu un diplôme de scénariste à l'Ithaca College. Avant de devenir populaire sur YouTube, il était caissier à l'épicerie Wegman's de sa ville natale. Jack Merridew est son pseudonyme, il ne dévoile pas son véritable nom. La biographie de Jack Merridew est importante parce qu'elle donne une idée de la nature de ses écrits. Cet ouvrage est un récit artistique et macabre sur le début de l'adolescence. Le ton du livre correspond à l'ambiance de certaines vidéos de Jack Merridew sur le thème de l'horreur, mais avec une impression plus sombre. L'histoire se déroule dans une version alternative des États-Unis dans les années 1950. Le protagoniste de l'histoire «Hunter» décrit une culture sombre, imprégnée de sang. Les couleurs rouge sang prédominent dans la vision. Même les pelouses des banlieues sont peintes en rouge à la bombe. La culture impose l'âge de quitter l'enfance lorsque les enfants atteignent l'âge de 13 ans. Cette norme est strictement appliquée par des personnes sadiques portant des masques de clown effrayants. Chaque année, un carnaval est organisé en ville pour tous les habitants. Tous les jeunes de 13 ans doivent obligatoirement se rendre au carnaval et visiter une tente particulièrement horrible. Les noms de chaque enfant de 13 ans qui visite la tente sont enregistrés dans un registre et tout enfant de 13 ans qui ne visite pas la tente est terrorisé jusqu'à ce qu'il se soumette. Ce qui fait que les enfants qui visitent la tente sont traumatisés. Leur enfance prend fin et ils doivent se conformer à la culture dominante. Au début du livre, le lecteur apprend que lorsque Hunter avait dix ans, il se sentait attiré par le garçon de douze ans qui tondait la pelouse de sa famille, Tommy Swanson. Lorsque Tommy Swanson atteint l'âge de 13 ans, il se rend à la fête foraine et traverse la tente tant redoutée. Puis il se suicide. L'essence spirituelle de Tommy Swanson apparaît comme un personnage secondaire dans le reste du livre. Tout lecteur qui n'a jamais appartenu au groupe populaire de l'école, en particulier s'il est LGBT, reconnaîtra les parents sévères qui appliquent les normes culturelles à la lettre, ainsi que les brutes mesquines. Les normes culturelles de l'histoire n'ont guère de sens logique. Hunter et l'apparition de Tommy Swanson sont des marginaux qui n'ont pas leur place dans cette culture tordue, folle et imbibée de sang. The Night Tommy Swanson Died est un excellent livre. Je n'ai trouvé aucune partie qui traîne en longueur ou qui ne soit pas essentielle à l'intrigue. Si vous êtes LGBT ou si vous avez déjà été ostracisé pour quelque raison que ce soit, vous pourrez vous identifier à Hunter dans l'histoire de Jack Merridew. Le style d'écriture de Jack Merridew et l'histoire elle-même donnent au lecteur un récit captivant, mystérieux et intrigant sur le passage à l'âge adulte. Pour ceux d'entre nous qui aiment les mystères insolites, le livre de Jack Merridew vaut la peine d'être lu. Et en plus de cela, ce livre m'a permis de progresser en anglais.

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Alan Belkin
Beautiful!
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
An excellent and imaginative book, very well written. A real pleasure. I look forward to more by the same author!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Did not disappoint!

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Not That

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read from a promising writer

4.0 out of 5 stars Promising debut from a new author

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow

3.0 out of 5 stars Ehh...

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Un commentaire macabre sur le fait de grandir en étant homosexuel aux USA dans les années 1950.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!

Did not disappoint!

This Is Not That

A fun read from a promising writer

Promising debut from a new author

Wow

Ehh...

Un commentaire macabre sur le fait de grandir en étant homosexuel aux USA dans les années 1950.

Beautiful!