The Life of Sutton shows that genuine love and happiness is found in people and relationships of substance.
Set in a pre-social media world where privilege wasn’t posted online, the possibilities for real escapism were endless, and self-discovery a matter of private discourse.
Inspired by the shock departure of his fiancée, Charlie Sutton leaves his stately life in Australia. He puts his charmed life at risk to save a friend.
While travelling from country-to-country reality sets into his elite social existence.
On his search for purpose, Charlie reconciles his flaws, questions his outlook and discovers value in the meaningful over the material.
Inspired by classics where the privileged life of characters is contrasted by their own personal challenges, The Life of Sutton is a universal story of getting through a breakup, risking one’s life to help a friend, romantic encounters and nostalgia.
It’s an eight-week window into a man’s life.
At the time of writing The Life of Sutton, James Leonard was 26, had travelled six continents, lived in New York and Argentina, worked in film and had skied 260 days in one year.
When I finished The Life of Sutton, I felt like I had become good friends with Charlie, our protagonist. From the very first page, Leonard does an immaculate job at making Charlie feel both real and deep. You understand his quirks, you feel his anxiety when he leaves Australia, and most importantly, you sense the loss of his fiancée.
Charlie’s venture takes place in 2004 and this is evident with how Leonard has composed each chapter. Every page feels so alive with detail, showcasing the various exotic locations that Charlie explores like Bali, LA and Stockholm. I experienced a certain amount of nostalgia while reading the book. The story is fresh, and amongst the dramatic chaos, there were times where both Charlie and I could take a well earned break and just appreciate the here and now. I couldn’t put it down. It was so addictive!
Leonard’s writing is swift, keeping me hooked until the very last page. The Life of Sutton highlights only a fraction of Charlie’s life, but wow, that fraction is filled to the brim with intensity, romance, heartache and some laughter too. Charlie’s growth had a profound impact on me. I loved experiencing him overcome his challenges with his many companions, and push through the dark unknowns. It’s a powerful narrative and it stays with you long after you’ve finished the book. The Life of Sutton is a must-read epic for anyone who’s interested in life, adversity and purpose. I’d love to see Charlie’s story continue–perhaps in a sequel?
I love coming-of-age stories, and this one seems really deep and inspiring. Can’t wait to get my hands on it. Speaking of books, have you guys tried abebooks? They’ve got a huge selection of new and used books, including lots of coming-of-age novels. I’ve found some great deals there.
If you are a fan of racing games, especially those who enjoy drifting, Drift Hunters is definitely an online game that you cannot miss. This game not only provides an exciting racing experience, but also allows you to experience the thrill of drifting and technical challenges in the virtual world.
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