Title: The Abduction of Julius
Author: Aaron Buchholz
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-6632-2886-4
Genre: Fiction / Short Stories
Pages: 56
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares

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They say to never judge a book by its cover, but you probably shouldn’t judge it by its length either. Some of Stephen King’s most revered works are shorts and novellas, because a great story is only as long as it needs to be. That is a long-winded way to say, at 48 pages, this story is small but mighty. It reminds me of an after-school special where valuable lessons are learned in a tight timeframe.

The Abduction of Julius is a light-hearted and fun fiction story about a man recalling his time as a mischievous youngster trying to fit in with the cool crowd. A self-imposed dare makes him the talk of the school, but it also garners him some attention that he doesn’t want. What starts as a simple prank turns into a worrisome conundrum when the school principal takes it a little too seriously. The main character, “Hawk,” and his newfound friends have to find a way to rectify the situation they put themselves in when they get some unexpected help from somewhere they never could have imagined.

The Abduction of Julius is a charming story that could have absolutely taken place in reality. It is an adorable story of a father reliving his glory days while proving to his son that he wasn’t always the boring old man that his teenager thinks he is. Although this is a short airplane ride’s worth of story, there is so much heart in these 56 pages. It touches on many teen topics without being heavy-handed about them. The father-son dynamic that bookends the story is so heartwarming and realistic that it makes this work of fiction relatable to parents. In fact, the whole story is so believable that it had to be checked to see if this was a work of fiction. It could be said that some areas could have been fleshed out a bit more to lengthen the story, but Buchholz doesn’t waste a single word in telling this story.

In a world of blockbusters and social media influencers, it is increasingly difficult to find a genuine story such as this. Aaron Buchholz makes you yearn for the days of simpler times when stories like this were more common and kids couldn’t get themselves into too much trouble. If you surrender yourself to the story and let it go where it wants to take you, it feels like a rollercoaster ride, but not in the way you would expect. While this story has a few ups and downs, it’s like a roller coaster because some spots will get your blood pumping, but in the back of your mind, you know you’re going to end up safe in the same place you started from. Part mystery, part psychological study, and all intrigue, The Abduction of Julius cements Aaron Buchholz as a storyteller to watch. This riveting novel explores the weight of past choices, the fragility of reputation, and the razor-thin line between truth and legend.