The Wake of Expectations (eBook)

The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is a raw, hilarious, and heartfelt coming-of-age novel set in the analog haze of the 1990s. Calvin 'Cal' McShane is poised for a perfect future with his dream college on the horizon, and his parents just won the lottery. But instead of riding a wave of triumph, Cal finds himself spiraling, disconnected from his family, adrift from his friends, and uncertain about who he wants to become. Through Cal's sardonic, vulnerable voice, the novel explores the undercurrents of alienation and the deep yearning for connection in a world before digital distractions. De Lucia crafts a narrative filled with flawed characters and unflinching introspection, chronicling Cal's messy navigation of love, friendship, and identity. Anchored in Gen X nostalgia and laced with adult humor,The Wake of Expectationsis both a portrait of a generation and a deeply personal tale of growth and resilience.Author Javier De Lucia has a keen sense of emotion infused into every part of this narrative, and he perfectly captures the emotional turbulence of youth with plenty of wit and an authentic heart at the core of the story. The central heroic feature of this novel is its commitment to character development, and readers are likely to be deeply invested in this sharp, character-driven novel that brilliantly evokes the 1990s in a very personal way. It feels like stepping back into recent nostalgia with our hero Cal, who is a flawed, funny, and utterly relatable protagonist with a bright voice that lingers long after the final page and keeps you asking questions about what really matters in life and how we choose to define ourselves. This gentle but strongly built central theme results in a bold, literary exploration of masculinity, disillusionment, and the courage to reinvent yourself that will touch everyone who encounters it. Overall, The Wake of Expectations is a highly recommended read for fans of heartfelt, realistic drama from an accomplished author.

—Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is a literary novel that follows Calvin McShane, who has recently secured a spot at his preferred college, and his family has unexpectedly come into wealth through a lottery win. Despite these opportunities, he experiences emotional distance from his loved ones and struggles to envision his future. The story is set in a time when personal connections happened face-to-face, without digital devices. It focuses on the challenges Calvin faces as his goals shift, highlighting the process of self-discovery and the choices involved in growing up. Through a mix of almost every imaginable emotion, Calvin hops, skips, and often falls in taking us through friendships, love, and the changing circumstances in his journey toward adulthood.The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia presents an intense and emotionally charged look at 1990s societal pressure, complete with pop culture references, and in a style that, much like Calvin, refuses to conform to traditional storytelling. The writing is raw and powerful, with a voice that confronts all things uncomfortable head-on, and De Lucia gives us the space to dwell on it long enough for it to fully soak in. This is what I would call grit-fiction in its most honest form, and it is exactly this unreliable, not pretty, rugged crucifixion of 90s coming of age that keeps the momentum alive. Are there clear answers? No. But does everything go according to plan? Also, no. If that is what a reader is expecting, they have totally missed the point. Overall, De Lucia's marvel is suited for those who seek literature that subverts every shred of expectation and dares to expose the fringes of human experience without glossing over its darker aspects. Very highly recommended.

—Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is a nostalgic coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s. It follows the journey of Calvin "Cal" McShane, a young man whose life seems perfect—he's been accepted into his dream college, and his parents have just won the lottery. Yet, beneath these blessings, Cal feels a sense of disconnection from his dreams and the people he loves. As Cal navigates friendships, love, and self-discovery, he learns that the future isn't as predictable as he once thought. The story paints a vivid picture of a young man questioning his path, eventually leading to a heartfelt resolution where Cal embraces his journey with a newfound sense of purpose. Javier De Lucia takes readers on a hilarious and heartfelt ride through the chaos of growing up. The author captures the 1990s without feeling forced. Instead of drowning readers in nostalgia, De Lucia sprinkles just enough cultural touches to remind you of the era. From music to everyday interactions, the setting feels real. It's a world where people meet face-to-face, where friends matter more than followers. This makes the story more personal, giving it a sense of warmth. Calvin McShane is the kind of character who feels like someone you know. He's messy, unsure, and painfully honest. Cal's journey isn't a straightforward path to self-improvement. He fumbles, makes bad choices, and then wonders why his life isn't working out. But that's what makes him feel real. His inner thoughts—raw, funny, and often a bit too honest—pull you into his story. The humor is sometimes crass, but it fits Cal's character. The writing style is direct, often intimidating, and filled with unfiltered dialogue. Javier De Lucia isn't afraid to show teenage awkwardness, and that adds to the charm. The plot mirrors Cal's struggles to figure out what he wants. It reflects the reality of growing up, often more about small realizations than grand moments. The Wake of Expectations is the kind of story that stays with you. It's honest, funny, and not afraid to show how confusing growing up can be. Perfect for those who appreciate stories where the protagonist doesn't have all the answers, but keeps trying anyway.

—Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers' Favorite

The Wake of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is a mesmerizing blend of literary fiction and coming-of-age story that follows Calvin "Cal" McShane as he navigates the world. His parents are lottery winners, and he is accepted into his dream college. That is enough to make anyone's life hopeful. But not Cal. He becomes listless, slowly withdrawing from friends and family, and adrift, unsure of what he wants for himself and his life. How far will he stray from his imagined future, and can he reconnect with himself and those who truly matter? Told in a mesmerizing, authentic, and quirky first-person narrative voice, this story takes readers through a mosaic of experiences and emotions, exploring what it felt like to come of age in the 1990s.Javier De Lucia is a skilled storyteller whose story engages from the outset. I loved the irresistible narrative voice that reflects Cal's personality. The characterization is deftly handled, as Calvin demonstrates the confusion of youth and the waywardness characteristics of young people who are uncertain about what they want. The sparkling dialogue creates intense drama, and the succinct sentences and timely paragraph breaks give a vividly dramatic effect. I also loved the short paragraphs and the well-crafted transitions: they made my reading enjoyable. The Wake of Expectations offers exquisite prose, fully drawn characters, and humor, which compelled me to keep turning the pages. The author captures the experience of Gen X with intelligence, creating a world filled with imagery and a setting with strong cultural and relevant social undertones.

—Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Not-so-mighty Calvin McShane steps up to bat—a chance to win the game. However, he strikes out, which sets the tone for The Wake of Expectations, a novel by Javier De Lucia. Fast forward several years to the 1990s, and a young Calvin is enjoying life with his friends and small rock band when his father wins the lottery. At a time when the future is alive with possibilities, Calvin dreams the kind of dreams that many teenage boys have before reality confronts them with the weight of responsibility. Believing he's set for life, Calvin struggles to understand why his parents are forcing him to attend a prestigious university he has no interest in. To make matters worse, he watches his father financially support a talentless singer in her music career while letting Calvin fend for himself. As Calvin moves on to college and navigates through life, he slowly learns that moments in time are precious, and when they're gone, you can never get them back.Detailed and well-composed, The Wake Of Expectations by Javier De Lucia is a coming-of-age story that delights. The plot revolves around a privileged young boy of half-Filipino heritage as he navigates self-discovery during his late teens and early twenties. The novel addresses numerous themes, with a particular emphasis on personal growth and awareness. The characters are diverse and well-developed, especially Calvin, who is portrayed as intelligent, typical, unique, embarrassing, and, at times, a whiny little brat who could use a reality check. With a leisurely pace filled with humor and a beautifully written narrative, The Wake of Expectations is a compelling tale for fans of literary fiction and anyone looking to revisit the angst of youth.

— Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine​​​​​​​ for Readers' Favorite

General Summary for Context:This novel brims with characters—friends, flings, frenemies, and fleeting encounters—woven through a narrative that spans years of change and growth. At the center of it all is Cal, our dry-witted narrator, who's just learned that his parents have won the lottery (cue envy), and that he's been accepted into his dream college. You'd think he'd be celebrating. But no—Cal is too busy reflecting.Told in his signature self-deprecating tone, Cal's story is less about triumph than it is about navigating the chaos of life: parties, heartbreaks, awkward encounters, moments of connection and confusion. The novel unfolds as a patchwork of seemingly insignificant events that, together, chart the messy process of growing up.Some might call it a coming-of-age story. To me, it feels more like a rude awakening—especially when, after a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows, Cal finds himself asking, "Wait... what happened to the money?"

Concise Review:This is a highly original and engaging journey into the life of one (seemingly average?) young man. At first, I struggled to keep track of the many people he meets and how they shape—or slip through—his life. The sheer number of encounters can feel dizzying, and initially, I felt the main character lacked depth. But as the story unfolded, I realized that might be the point: he's still figuring himself out, stumbling through a maze of interactions, often awkward, sometimes tender, and frequently tinged with confusion.Coming from a family of all girls, I may simply be more familiar with the emotional dramas of growing up female. The adolescent male experience portrayed here—hormonal, uncertain, occasionally crass—felt unfamiliar and, at times, jarring. But it's also raw and honest in a way that's hard to look away from.This isn't a tidy coming-of-age tale—it's messier, funnier, and sometimes more frustrating. But it's real. Maybe that's what makes it resonate, even if it takes a moment to adjust to the rhythm of the world the author has created.

General Thoughts on the Novel:Initially, the sheer volume of characters and shifting relationships made the narrative somewhat difficult to follow. However, once I began keeping a mental ledger of who was who and how each individual related to the protagonist, the story gradually drew me in. The emotional turbulence, the fleeting connections, and the often-conflicted decisions began to cohere into something compelling.In particular, I found myself deeply frustrated—perhaps even incensed—by the events toward the end, particularly the loss of the money (a mild spoiler, though its impact is central to the story's arc). That sense of frustration underscored how emotionally involved I had become. I wanted to shake certain characters, to urge them into self-awareness and maturity. In doing so, I realized the narrative had achieved something significant: it had made me care.This is not a conventional coming-of-age tale. It is raw, sometimes chaotic, and frequently disorienting. But beneath that surface lies a poignant meditation on adolescence, identity, and the often-painful process of growing up. Once emotionally invested, the story resonates with clarity and meaning—and that, perhaps, is the clearest indication that it is a work of real merit.

—International Review of Books

Javier De Lucia’s The Wake of Expectations is a raw, poetic unraveling of self in a world where dreams, disillusionment, and the pressure to perform collide. The book journeys through a fragmented psyche, moving between poetic introspection and philosophical musings, all while probing the cost of living under the weight of inherited ideals and cultural norms. It’s less a narrative and more a lyrical excavation—a fevered diary torn at the seams.

What struck me first was the voice. It’s angry, tender, lost, and deeply human. De Lucia doesn’t hold your hand. He throws you in. His words crackle with emotion—grief, rage, shame. The prose can be jagged, like broken glass, but that’s the point. It’s meant to cut. It’s meant to hurt. And it does, in the best way. I found myself underlining lines not because they were pretty, but because they felt true. Like he’d scooped thoughts out of the back of my mind and dared to say them out loud.

But some passages drift into abstraction. There were moments when it felt like De Lucia was writing for himself. It’s unapologetically personal, but it’s fantastic when it lands; however, I craved more shape and clarity. Still, even in its chaos, there’s something magnetic about it.

The ideas in the book were thought-provoking, and something I really enjoyed about this novel. He questions everything: ambition, masculinity, belonging, even time. And he doesn’t offer answers. Just cracks. Openings. Invitations to think, to feel. I came away shaken, but also strangely comforted. There’s something healing in the honesty, in knowing someone else is just as bewildered by the world.

The Wake of Expectations isn’t for everyone. It’s heavy. It’s weird. It doesn’t pretend to be neat or nice. But if you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in who you’re supposed to be, this book might throw you a rope—or at least show you you’re not alone. I’d recommend it to readers who crave emotion over plot, who aren’t afraid of the dark corners. It’s poetry with teeth. And it lingers.

-Literary Titan