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No. 14 — Autumn 2024 | Exacting Clam
In John Patrick Higgins‘ transfixing painting on the cover, “Cafés of Desire,” meet Paul Reverb, the protagonist of Higgins’ forthcoming novel, Fine. With some difficulty, turn the page to discover Christopher Boucher becoming unglued, Melissa McCarthy on orcas and authors, Jake Goldsmith on liberalism’s fragility, Thomas Walton on archetypes and plinths, Qianqian Liu on parentheticals and more.
Vincent Czyz’s Sun Eye Moon Eye — John Patrick Higgins | Exacting Clam
In the afterword of this book, and with admirable coolness, Vincent Czyz recounts the novel’s thirty-two-year Odyssey, from pen to published. He tells of the hundreds of pages gutted from the text, the decades of encouraging rejections, the frustrated disappearance of agents.Source
Fine | Sagging Meniscus Press
“Fine is a fine debut indeed.” —Patrick Kinkaid, author of The Continuity Girl
“The lives of middle-aged men are to John Patrick Higgins as the statue of ozymandias was to Shelley: epic, broken, and tragi-comic. Thankfully, Higgins approaches his subject with as much elegance and many more references to 70s British television.
Paul Reverb, the protagonist, is a man whose creative difficulties may be the least of his problems. He lives alone in a London flat he inherited from his deceased parents. (“I was alone,” Higgins writes at one point, “I was so alone.”) He is childless. He’s desperate for a romantic relationship though he wouldn’t mind the occasional one-nighter to tide him over. Unfortunately, he’s a strike-out artist no matter the field he plays on. “I was a man whose leisure hours were chiefly filled with drinking, masturbating, and listening to records,” he laments. “If I opened the curtains, it was a good day.”
In addition to struggling with loneliness and writer’s block, he’s increasingly aware that he’s getting on in years. “My body disgusts me now. […] My flesh has the color and consistency of chewing gum on a warm radiator.” Two pages later he concludes, “this was the best it was ever going to be. This was it until it got worse.”
And, no, that doesn’t quite cover what’s ailing Paul Reverb. On top of all that, he’s a man “in retreat from the 21st century.” He doesn’t “like anything about it. The cinema, the music, the politics, the people.” One fun byproduct of his era-discomfort is that the reader is treated to a protagonist who takes a novel about a vampire hypnotist so seriously (Reverb himself doesn’t display much respect for his literary handiwork). Rather,Reverb’s inability to write is representative of where he is in life — stalled,stagnating,sans an exit strategy.
Sourcea bittersweet journey through memory and self-finding. Higgins masterfully balances humor with poignancy,creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to evoke the essence of the ’80s while simultaneously critiquing contemporary society.Reverb’s voice is authentic and engaging, making the reader feel as if they are part of his inner circle.The descriptions of nocturnal London are particularly striking, painting a vivid picture of the city’s atmosphere and the solitude that comes with it. This contrast between the bustling city and the introspective nature of the protagonist adds depth to the story, making it a compelling read.
“reverb” is a testament to Higgins’ skill as a writer, showcasing his ability to blend humor, nostalgia, and social commentary into a cohesive and captivating narrative. It’s a novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate a good story told with wit and heart.The text you’ve provided appears to be a review or an excerpt discussing a novel titled Fine. Here’s a summary and some key points:
- Themes: The novel Fine explores themes of loneliness, aging, and death, and also the pressures of a winner-take-all society in Western capitalism. It challenges the notion that being average or unexceptional is synonymous with being a loser.
- Comparison to Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”: The novel is compared to Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman,” which also focuses on an ordinary, “small” man and his struggles. The novel implies that tragedy and exhaustion aren’t reserved for kings or celebrated heroes.
- humor: The novel is expected to be, with sentences that might make the reader laugh or chortle on every page.
- Author: The author, Vincent Czyz, has a notable literary background, including winning the Eric Hoffer Award for Best in Small press and receiving two fiction fellowships from the NJ Council on the Arts.
- Aunt Sylvia: The text mentions “Aunt Sylvia,” who seems to be a character or a symbol in the novel, representing the inevitability of aging and death.
- Reconciliation: the best outcome of reading the novel is expected to be a sense of reconciliation with the idea of one day becoming like Aunt sylvia, i.e., accepting the inevitability of aging and death.
Here’s a brief quote from the text that encapsulates the novel’s themes:
“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man,” Linda, Willy’s wife, points out. similarly, the events in Fine imply that talent, brilliance, and beauty, among other coveted traits, aren’t sine qua non for happiness.”
A Glimpse into ”fine”: An Interview with John Patrick Higgins
Table of Contents
John Patrick Higgins’s debut novel, “Fine,” is a poignant and humorous exploration of loneliness, aging, and self-discovery in a world that frequently enough celebrates success at all costs.The novel, set against the backdrop of 1980s London, follows Paul Reverb, a struggling writer grappling with creative block, disillusionment, and the enormity of his own existence.
About the Novel
Editor: “Fine” seems to delve into the notion that being “fine” is not necessarily synonymous with contentment or fulfillment. Can you expand on this idea?
John Patrick Higgins: Absolutely.The novel explores the tensions between societal expectations and individual experiance. Our culture often equates success with outward achievements and material possessions. But “Fine” asks what happens when those markers of success don’t bring the desired sense of satisfaction. Paul Reverb, our protagonist, is a classic example of someone who feels adrift despite achieving what coudl be considered a ‘good’ life.
Character Exploration
Editor: Paul Reverb is described as a man wrestling with loneliness and the fear of growing old. What inspired you to create a character who grapples with such worldwide anxieties?
John Patrick Higgins: I think these anxieties are part of the human condition,especially in our fast-paced,image-obsessed society. We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what we “should” be doing and who we “should” be. Paul’s journey is about confronting these societal pressures and finding his own path to meaning and connection, even amidst the inevitable march of time.
Setting and Nostalgia
Editor: The novel is set in 1980s London, and there’s a palpable sense of nostalgia for that era. Why did you choose this particular setting?
John Patrick Higgins: The 1980s were a time of significant cultural upheaval and social change. There was a sense of both optimism and anxiety in the air, which I think resonates with Paul’s own internal conflicts. London during that time was a vibrant and diverse city, ripe with possibilities and contradictions. I wanted to capture the energy and the unease of that period.
Creative influences
Editor: are there any particular works of literature or film that influenced “Fine”?
John Patrick Higgins: Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” was a major influence on me. Like Willy Loman, paul is a man struggling to find his place in a demanding world. I’m also drawn to the work of writers like john Cheever and J.D. Salinger, who capture the nuances of ordinary lives with great empathy and insight.
Final Thoughts
“Fine” is a heartfelt and insightful novel that challenges us to reconsider our notions of success and fulfillment. John Patrick Higgins’s writing is sharp, witty, and deeply moving.