Lost In Seattle – A novel that traces social turmoil in the after math of the recession
Khurshid Alam, Editor-in-Chief, Contemporary Literary Review India
Review on Lost In Seattle by Ghanshyam Iyengar
Bruce Louis Dodson, in his debut novel Lost in Seattle, tracks the economic slowdown that descended in
2008 on America
and its impact through the middle-aged character William Brenner.
Willie, who once had a well-paid job, ruled the roost until his organization, like many others, bit the dust.
Willie, who
once had a well-paid job, ruled the roost until his organization, like many
others, bit the dust. Financially and socially broken, Willie is forced now to
shuffle from one temp job to another.. Divorced and unable to bring his ailing
mother to stay with him, the protagonist watches his credit card debt pile up.
As the walls close in, he toys with the idea of accepting the bribe of a job to
give false testimony against a friend.
Willie is forced to live in acute loneliness and decides to
find joys wherever he can and with whoever he can; a parrot, a drug addict, and
a sexy artist. Willie temporarily brings home Lulu, the parrot, but the
feathered companion soon becomes an indispensible part of his life. He rescues
George, his African-American fellow temp worker, from a work accident and
unwittingly sparks an unusual friendship between them. However, his ultimate
bliss lies in the company of the tempting Alice.
Lost in Seattle is a story of frustration and depression – and the will to float instead of sink.
Lost in Seattle
is a story of frustration and depression – and the will to float instead of
sink. Willie becomes a victim of the recession and struggles to regain balance
in his life. Working various odd jobs as a temporary worker and trying to make
ends meet, Willie befriends people he never thought he would as he is thrown
headfirst into hazardous manual jobs.
The highlight of William’s new life is his intimate
relationship with a much younger woman, an artist, Alice. In order to impress Alice, Willie starts to
write, creating a story around the experiences of his mother, Faith, who
suffers from Alzheimer’s. The next turning point in his life comes when his
young daughter, Mary, arrives from a Buddhist monastery, to live with him. Her
composure and quiet optimism brings real warmth into Willie’s otherwise cold
and dreary life. With the help of Mary’s efforts, Willie is able to reconnect
with his ex-wife Laurie, whom he still loves. The story closes with hopes of a
new beginning in his personal as well as professional life, but hints at
further struggle.
The storyline is realistic and reflects the pessimism prevalent in contemporary times.
The storyline is realistic and reflects the pessimism
prevalent in contemporary times. However, the author’s pragmatic approach is
revealed in the unending perseverance of the characters to overcome their
struggles and problems through hard work. The light at the end of the tunnel is
constantly visible and the tone of the novel echoes optimism with tiny flecks
of hope thrown in between broken relationships and the stresses of unemployment. It reminds me
of a quote, “There is nothing worse in the world than the end of hope.” The
breaks or pauses (the Robert Roberts Show) used as a device to reflect and
comment on the society and milieu represented in the novel like the
inter-chapters employed by Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath) present a glimpse
into the stark reality of life: the recession and downsizing plaguing present
day society. The end seems to turn hopeful only to announce further bleakness
with news of further layoffs that indicates yet another fight, yet another
struggle.
The theme of the novel is nonetheless one that has been used
by various contemporary writers from Salman Rushdie to Stephen Gill. The theme
centers on the burning topic of economic meltdown, globalization, unemployment,
immigration, outsourcing of jobs and its after effects on the individual, the
family and society. The work holds much potential and great market value as it
addresses those contemporary issues that are close to the hearts and minds of
the readers today. The language is simple, lucid and carries the nuances of the
American life. In fact, the novel aptly and truly represents the social milieu
to which it belongs. The contemporary life scenario makes the novel
interesting, balanced and thought provoking. The variety of themes and the
lucid language makes Lost in Seattle
by Bruce Louis Dodson a ‘must read’ novel.
The author Bruce Louis Dodson is talented and insightful. His
language and expressions reflect his grasp of the society he represents in the
novel, while his delineation of characters reveal his genius in comprehending
and portraying the depths of their dilemmas, yearnings, trials and
tribulations.
Reviewer’s Bio: Ghanshyam
Iyengar is a critic editor and review writer with CLRI.
Author: Bruce
Louis Dodson
Publisher: Amazon.com,
2012.
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