In the Key of Dale

Dale’s father passed away seven years ago. Dale, 17, is a loner, comfortable in his own company. He speaks to none of the other students at school. Instead, Dale records his feelings by writing letters to his father. These letters form the novel.

Turning inwards, Dale has found a release in music. In fact, he is a music prodigy and has just aced his exam at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Despite that, his mother remains cool to his interest in music. Dale expresses himself by practicing the violin and by playing the organ and singing in church.

Three years ago, Dale’s mother remarried, and Helmut brought his own son, Gonzo into the family. Gonzo is in the same grade as Dale, but even this does not crack Dale’s shell of silence.

Dale’s life takes a decisive turn at the wedding of his friends, Jenice and Sophie, when he bumps into and strikes up a conversation with a classmate from high school. Dale and Rusty become quick friends, despite Dale’s second guessing his social responses at every turn. Though the two seem to have nothing in common, they spend increasing amounts of time together. Eventually, Dale begins to have feelings for Rusty, but he doesn’t entertain the thought that someone like Rusty (a seemingly straight-acting male) would be attracted to him.

As Dale opens up to Rusty, he also gradually opens up to others around him, including his step-brother Gonzo, Gonzo’s mother Iliana, and his own mother. Dale and Rusty have been paired to create a media studies project, and, as they invest increasing amounts of time together creating a final product, they come to realize that their feelings about each other are mutual.

One day, at his uncle’s anniversary party, Dale learns that his father had been having an affair and was planning to leave Dale and his mother for another woman. Stunned by this revelation, but even more by the fact that the secret had been kept from him for years, Dale turns to Rusty for understanding. This coming of age novel does not go for over the top with dramatic tension, but explores the utterly believable struggles that many teens are experiencing right now.

Life sends additional challenges Dale’s way. At the last minute, he is thrown into the lead singing role in a large concert; and he is accused of plagiarizing his part in the media project.

The great strength of In the Key of Dale is the characterizations. Protagonist Dale is a complex, strong-minded teenager. He has both strengths and weaknesses that all ring absolutely true. The other main character is Rusty. Easygoing and willing to invest the energy into getting to know Dale, he is the right man to crack Dale’s shell. The novel is light and optimistic in tone, and acceptance is woven throughout.

Parents are often absent or nearly-absent in teen fiction, but some of the adult characters here are extremely well-written. For example, Dale’s mother, Susan, is a fascinating character. When readers first meet her, she seems curiously disinterested in Dale’s musical accomplishments and generally unsupportive of his pursuing that interest. It is deeply satisfying when she eventually shares the harsh experiences that she has endured that made her who she is today.

Lefebvre writes about grief, sexuality, and family with great success. The author’s blog teases about “…possibly, a follow-up to this one at some point in the future.” Please do! This reader wants to know which path Dale’s journey takes in his final year at school.

Benjamin Lefebvre lives in Kitchener, Ontario. His edited books include the three-volume critical anthology The LM Montgomery Reader (winner of the 2016 PROSE Award for Literature from the Association of American Publishers) and an edition of Montgomery’s rediscovered final book, The Blythes Are Quoted. In the Key of Dale is his first novel.