When the chronicles of US history in 2025 are penned, one standout remark might be, “It inspired some remarkable art.”
Take, for instance, Jess Walter’s latest novel, “So Far.” Set against the backdrop of contemporary America, two children arrive at a cabin, backpacks in tow. “Do you sell a promising young capitalist?” queries Rhys Kinnick, only to realize that the children are, in fact, his grandchildren. They bear notes from Kinnick’s daughter, portraying their grandfather as “someone who severed ties with our family and now resides in a cabin north of Spokane.”
This intriguing premise pulls you in and maintains its grip through the ensuing 256 pages. Discover the reasons behind Kinnik’s retreat to the woods seven years ago (spoiler: it revolves around a small fraction of American intolerance, a situation mirrored in certain White House inhabitants, as well as Kinnik’s daughter, Bethany, and her husband, Messie, who is distancing himself from Shane’s Grand Kinnik).
In a clever narrative twist, each chapter is titled “What Happened to ___,” outlining the key elements of each character’s backstory alongside the present-day timeline. Presented with the wit of an omniscient narrator, the book’s themes are undeniably profound. In the chapter “What Happened to Lucy,” one of Kinnik’s former flames and colleagues reflects on the expectation for reporters to constantly engage on social media. Alternatively, Kinnik draws from advice shared by a retired police officer who assisted him in reclaiming his grandson from a local militia, armed with a Glock.
Kinnik encounters a diverse range of characters and journeys through the Northwest in pursuit of his daughter and grandchildren, leading to a swift unfolding of the plot. Many readers will find themselves at the last page in just a day or two, resonating with the Thoreau quote that Walter incorporates in the book’s preface.
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Source: apnews.com