Kermit Turner

Funland Kermit Turner

In this fast-moving novel an aging man recounts a turbulent, formative summer of his youth. In 1956 seventeen-year-old David Worley flees personal difficulties and a dysfunctional family to work for the summer at Palmetto Beach, a popular Southeastern resort. Beneath the gaudy, shimmering surface of this vacation fun-land, he soon discovers a shadowy world of sexual adventurers and beach bums who prey on tourists and working teenagers. Searching for identity and direction, David becomes entangled in relationships that lead to experiences ranging from bitter-sweet to painful, embarrassing to shameful. Only after sinking into emotional turmoil and moral confusion does David begin to develop strength of character and self-respect.