Submarine, by Joe Dunthome

An enjoyable first novel by a young British author. Published in 2011. Set in Wales, it's a comically told coming of age story told by a 15 year-old male narrator. The story toggles between two plot elements - his early romantic/sexual experiences and his attempts to reconcile his 40-something parents who are undergoing marital stress. It reminds me in some ways of Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi in that both books have young male narrators and share the same two plots. In fact, one parent in each book is attracted to "hippie" or "new ager" elements that end up comically. Submarine is engaging and believable and very skillfully narrated, although I thought the ending a bit anti-climactic.

Click here to read a review of the book from The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/submarine-by-joe-dunthorne-778478.html