Vintage: A Ghost Story

of his dreams, a boy who happens to have

“ a smart, stylish coming-of-age story about a gay
teenager, a seductive ghost, and the many ways that
the past shadows the present. It’s also a love story,
but one that’s dark and sharp and full of unexpected
twists. Much like adolescence itself.”

Steve Berman
lives in New Jersey which happens
to have its share of ghosts and devils. His queer and
weird fiction has been nominated for several awards.

“Steve Berman has created a clever mix of urban myth, Goth, and ghost story while also tackling the confusing issues as a teen deals with his sexual orientation.
Vintage
is a clever and haunting story with some delightfully creepy scenes.”

“
Vintage
is an outstanding example of how genres such as YA fantasy and supernatural fiction can be used to create new stories which exploit the potential of speculative fiction to address social issues. I am already anticipating the next book by Steve Berman.”

“This book avoids campiness without altogether abandoning a sense of humor… Already a seasoned writer of short fiction, Berman doesn’t falter in this longer tale of a predatory ghost who died young and handsome in the 1950s, the intelligent boy (with certain occult skills) who nearly falls under his spell, and a Goth girl who is more than her affectations.”

“There is a lot of grief, angst, anger in this story, but Berman skillfully makes it bearable with his humor and eye for detail, his ability to present interesting and appealing characters, and his compassion for the struggles and emotions of teens, especially (but not exclusively) gay teens. The horrid side of how gays are treated gets aired through memories, but we’re not overwhelmed with Message…”

“Berman wisely allows the supernatural aspects to take second seat to the real-life interactions between the narrator and his friends, and in their teenage concerns he captures the ache, longing, and frustration that makes growing up so bitterly sweet… Like its ghosts,
Vintage
may haunt you after its tale is told, holding on with its pitch-perfect depiction of adolescent hope and angst, and the ultimate triumph of love, and life, over death.”

more… “
Vintage: A Ghost Story
is a powerful, emotionally charged novel exploring what it means to be young and different in a world that rarely accommodates the individual. Often bittersweet, the story examines how our choices haunt us, sometimes to frightening degrees. More than a ghost story, Berman has created a coming-of-age tale that rings true, showing us the dreams and dreads of youth. Whether describing the worldly or the otherworldly, Berman’s style is as comfortable and sharp as a fine suit. With an eye for detail he has woven an ornate fabric from threads of lust, terror, loss, and joy, creating the kind of story that never goes out of style.”

“Steve Berman’s first novel
Vintage
is a skillful brew of Goth fashion, gay teen alienation, a sexually predatory ghost from the legendary past, and an impro vised exorcism into which the author has blended a surprisingly sweet coming-of-age love story.”

“With exceptional skill and insight, Berman takes his readers on a fast-paced, intense journey with many twists and turns. It has chills and thrills and dark humor, but ultimately it is a touching coming-of-age story to which readers of all ages will be able to relate. After a whirlwind first read, you’ll be compelled to start over at a more leisurely pace to savor the details and precise writing style.”

“I loved the world of
Vintage
—the setting, yes, but also the characters and their lives and the sneaky ways that the past affects the present. The story drew me in with its subtle progression from chills to true fear; every time I thought I had things figured out, events took a new turn, and left me at once surprised and completely convinced that nothing else could have happened. A lovely novel, and one I will read again.”