GROTESQUE, Wears' first novel, explores the effects of lovelessness, bad "science," and geographic isolation on a young boy's life as he comes of age. Kent Tucker, a young boy living in Appalachia in the 1950s, does best when he goes unnoticed. But when the fates conspire to bring him to the attention of this harsh family and his isolated community, tragedy ensues. Without fully understanding why, Kent finds himself in a state-run mental institution, where he is treated for a "pathology" off-and-on for years to come. The treatment transforms him -- he is irreparably damaged, rendered grotesque. When, after being warehoused for years, he is finally freed, he once again becomes the center of attention by committing unthinkable crimes, crimes that no one will forget. REVIEW "First-time novelist Wears has crafted a gripping, sometimes overly brutal and melodramatic narrative to explain the trajectory of a character whose fate is stated at the start of this novel. The hospital scenes are particularly powerful, laying the groundwork for Kent's psychosexual fantasies. Sarah's detachment is chilling even in rather sparse detail, with one wishing for a bit more development in this area. Overall, however, it's a sad and cautionary tale that leaves a mark. Haunting look at bad science, bad parenting and the making of a damaged individual." - Kirkus Reviews (kirkusreviews.com)