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The prose in the novel reflects this duality of humor and haunting. Selzer’s voice is conversational and accessible, yet it frequently gives way to moments of genuine, poetic introspection. He captures the dialogue of youth without making it feel dated or forced, allowing the characters' insecurities and passions to drive the plot. There is a distinct rhythm to his writing, likely born from his own background as a musician, that makes the emotional crescendos of the story feel earned and resonant.
The central thesis of the novel revolves around the idea of presence and absence. How do we remain present in the lives of those we care about when time, distance, or death pull us apart? Selzer explores this through the lens of teenage friendships and first loves, capturing that specific, aching era of life where every emotion feels monumental and every ending feels like the end of the world. The characters in the book are collectors—of records, of stories, and of moments. They are desperately trying to hold onto a youth that is actively slipping through their fingers. Adam Selzer - I'll Be Around
In conclusion, "I'll Be Around" remains a hidden gem in Adam Selzer’s diverse body of work. It stands as a testament to his ability to treat the emotional lives of teenagers with the same respect, curiosity, and depth that he brings to archiving the history of a major American city. By weaving together music, memory, and the bittersweet nature of change, Selzer crafted a story that reminds us that no matter how much we grow or where we go, the people and places that shaped us will always be around. The prose in the novel reflects this duality
Adam Selzer is a remarkably versatile American author, historian, and musician whose career defies easy categorization. While he is perhaps most widely recognized today for his deep-dive research into Chicago’s dark history—most notably his authoritative work on the serial killer H.H. Holmes—his earlier creative output as a young adult novelist and musician reveals a deeply empathetic artist fascinated by the intersections of memory, place, and human connection. His 2010 young adult novel, "I'll Be Around," serves as a poignant micro-study of these very themes. The book, much like Selzer's own eclectic career, operates on multiple frequencies: it is at once a story about the awkward transitions of adolescence, a love letter to the power of music, and a meditation on how ghosts—both literal and figurative—shape our lives. There is a distinct rhythm to his writing,
To understand the core of "I'll Be Around," one must first understand the artistic DNA of its creator. Selzer began his career with a voice that was distinctly sharp, witty, and unapologetically quirky. His early YA novels often featured protagonists who felt like outsiders, navigating the absurdities of high school and family life with a dry, self-deprecating humor. However, what set Selzer apart from many of his contemporaries was his ability to anchor teenage angst in specific, richly textured environments. Whether writing about small-town dynamics or the bustling, layered history of a city like Chicago, Selzer treats setting not just as a backdrop, but as a living character that influences how his protagonists see the world.
In "I'll Be Around," this fascination with environment and the past takes center stage. The novel follows a teenage protagonist navigating the turbulent waters of growing up, but it avoids the clichés of standard coming-of-age fare by leaning into atmosphere and subculture. The title itself—borrowing from the classic 1972 soul song by The Spinners—immediately signals the heavy role that music plays in the narrative. For Selzer’s characters, music is not merely background noise; it is a lifeline, a method of communication, and a repository for memories.
Furthermore, "I'll Be Around" serves as a fascinating bridge in Selzer's bibliography, connecting his fiction to his later non-fiction work as a historian and ghost tour operator. In the novel, the concept of being "around" takes on a quasi-spectral quality. Selzer has spent the better part of the last two decades guiding people through the haunted history of Chicago, separating myth from fact regarding figures like H.H. Holmes or the ghost of Resurrection Mary. He understands that a "ghost" is often just a memory tied to a specific location—an echo of someone who used to be there. In "I'll Be Around," he applies this historical and spectral sensitivity to the teenage experience. The hallways of the high school, the local hangouts, and the quiet streets at night are all haunted by the memories of who the characters used to be and the futures they are afraid to face.