Coming of age means being shaped like a sculpture, ready to be weathered by natural forces, by hands of history that are too numerous to fathom. This is an experience all humans must go through, but it's only in time that we can tell how the hands of history have shaped us.

THE SUMMER OF ELLEN by Agnente Friis, explores the developmental year of when Jacob was a budding teenager and the summer he stayed with his two uncles, meeting the beautiful and artistic Ellen in 1978. As a teenager, Jacob has his own numerous issues to deal with: namely, his parents' separation when his mother abandoned his father. Then there is the incident with his friend Sten as well as Sten's sister, Toad, who went missing. The last thing Jacob desires is to live with two bachelor uncles who seem to lack understanding and experience in dealing with a teenager, but to get away from his father, he agrees to do it.

Fast forward thirty-plus years, and Jacob is in the middle of a bitter divorce, accused of being a stalker, and is a bitter man. Once again, the last thing he desires is to go back to his uncles' farm, but when someone calls to inquire about Ellen, Jacob feels he has little choice in the matter. He goes back and starts to uncover how little he knew of the summer of 1978.

My first warning will be that this is not an easy book, and this is not a story for people who have tender hearts towards animals. This is a story of discomfort, looking at numerous flaws in an unpolished mirror where they become as big as the mountains. This is also a story of brutality, ugliness, and shame. THE SUMMER OF ELLEN by Agnete Friis will seep into the pores, infecting the heart and mind with grotesque images. There is something cold and beautiful about the way Agnete Friis captures the mind of a developing teenage boy that is ready to become molded by the ugliness around him.

What I loved about THE SUMMER OF ELLEN, besides the atmosphere, is that Agnete Friis doesn't shy away from the ugliness of the farm life as well as portraying how teenage boys become shaped into misogynistic men. I also loved the symbolism she used, even when I was uncomfortable with it, and enjoyed seeing her portrayal of Denmark in the 1970s as well as modern times. The mystery aspect, although interesting, wasn't memorable for me, but its the 1978 summer that made the story fascinating.

For readers looking for an intriguing story about Denmark or a story dealing with the way teenage boys could possibly become misogynists, then THE SUMMER OF ELLEN by Agnete Friis will be a memorable read.