Do you dislike the dark?
Are you the kind of individual who reads uplifting books while drinking tea? It's time to leave your comfort zone and have the mind-blowing experience this masterwork offers. Let's leave this self-created cocoon and experience this thrilling and terrifying experience in the world as described in Dan Chaon's novel "Among the Missing," written by a true and well-respected dramatist. The best stories are those that unexpectedly strike you like a sledgehammer, leaving you with a vivid memory long after you've finished the book. The author is known to produce works that manifest more as sketches rather than fully realized short narratives. This style gives an exciting experience in every page you read. No one would want to miss out on the experience offered by this talented and experienced author.
The author
They say the best speak for themselves and so has Chan in this book. A man gifted with contemporary literature skills, offers a thrilling experience similar to that experienced during a rollacosta ride. His works have earned him colossal respect not only among his peers but also in the entire literature community. His peers have described him as a man with a literal mind with three high-flying novels as well as a collection of three narratives that create and leave a significant impact on his audience (McGlynn, 151). To begin with, Chaon’s historical background is full of jaw-dropping experiences that perhaps highlight the tremendous energy presented in his works. He is an American writer who grew up in Nebraska, the suburbs of Sidney (Schmitt 1). He graduated in Northwestern University and escalated to win an MA from the Syracuse University (Glass et al, 3). He is not only dedicated to his work but also to his family. He was left to raise his two sons after the demise of his wife several years back. He is currently teaching creative writing at Oberlin College where he was honored in the creative writing and literature department with a Pauline Dalaney Professorship (Field Minor and Minor fields planning, 13).
About the Book and Awards
The book “Among the Missing” is one among other narratives written by Don. As previously mentioned, his works have received numerous attentions in the literature community with this particular piece making him a finalist in the 2001 National Book Award. The book is a direct manifestation of the American men and women, both young and old, with American’s socio-cultural distinctions that apply in people’s daily lives (Chaon 12). This book presents stories on people living outside the American dream as they ponder on how they arrived to where they are now. Don Chaos’ expertise has enabled him to receive numerous honors with this book being named the top ten best books by ALA and the book of the year by the New York Times. The Los Angeles Times even described him as a riveting thriller, a sober mediator on the identity erosion in this technological age and a chock-full of plot twists.
Summary
In this literature, he focuses on the condition of the modern family capturing the lives, dreams, fates of adults and children living outside the American Dream. Chaon in keen to present a world that is characterized with complex human relationships ranging from the minute betrayals and unwanted failures to the huge losses that arise from death, abandonment and disappearance of loved ones. For instance, as highlighted in the scenarios where a relative committed suicide, a parent disappeared and a close colleague became abducted. He uses specific and disturbing absences that haunt the characters together with a collection of literal and metaphoric substitutes that fills the void of what is absent. What stands out is that the Chaon’s characters can be termed as being emotional hinterlands. That notwithstanding they can be seen as being lonely even when they are surrounded. Chaon sights powerlessness in men who fall in love, marry, have families and continue to live their lives. For example, the father who looks into the eyes of his son and thinks “I am aware that hatred is a definite possibility at the end of the long tunnel of parenthood, and I suspect that there is little one can do about it.” (Chaon 34).
Critiques
The short narratives do not quite do it for certain people. Some stories are rather enjoyable but none truly stands out as extraordinary. The stories somehow blend into each other and after reading the whole book; one can only recall a few in a clear manner. They are rather long and to some individuals, especially those not accustomed to reading novels, find it somehow boring (Leah, 185). For example, as mentioned earlier, the author produces works that manifest more as sketches rather than fully realized short narratives. This writing style becomes integral to the disappointing art of deflection while involving the audience in the exciting pleasure of literary ambiguity of comprehending two or more possible interpretations in one’s mind at the same time.
Similarly, the book manifests an experience where the reader can hardly tell the difference between that which is real and that which is not. The narratives are rather deep and individuals with weak hearts may find this narrative disturbing. The targeted audience seems to be for the strong hearted limiting the enjoyable experience to certain readers. In addition, some may be unable to relate to some of these stories, perhaps moderating the real experience that the author may have anticipated. Chaon also relies too much on characters who struggle from alcoholism. While this trait may be important to their motivations or struggle the characters perhaps share this trait on a greater level presenting repetition of this ambiguous trait. Finally, the author ought to have somewhat linked the stories presented to one another to develop one main theme in the whole narrative. This is a significant shortfall presented by the author in this narrative.
Conclusion and recommendation
This narrative presents a collection from an outstanding promising narrator who is unmistakably original in his work. His work is especially identifiable for his casual and precise proses that manifest deep intelligence for the resonant scene. The story presents a thrill to the reader leaving them with a vivid image of the experiences established by the author. In this thrilling narrative bracing new collection, the author reveals stories of individuals both adults and children who live outside the American dream. At this point, they ponder the decisions, paths or incidents that brought them to where they are. The author exploits the psychological landscape of the characters to provide a dazzling effect. In each story, Chaon radiates sharp humor, startling compassion, wonder and mystery. Like the new weather that hits while unexpected, the collection sneaks resolutely up on you However, while the book may offer such exciting experiences, the author ought to have minimized the prolonged story development to reduce the strain experienced by the reader. In addition, a direct link between the stories should suffice to present a general agreeable theme to the narrative.
Works Cited
Chaon, Dan. "Among the Missing" story"." TriQuarterly 102 (1998): 219.
FIELD, MINOR, and Minor Fields Planning. "FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS." Cell 914.924 (2016): 2994.
Glass, Loren, ed. After the Program Era: The Past, Present, and Future of Creative Writing in the University. University of Iowa Press, 2017.
Leahy, Anna. "Among the Missing." (2003): 184-186.
McGlynn, Karyna. "At Kohl's Department Store." Ploughshares 40.1 (2014): 151-151.
Schmitt, Arnaud. "An interview with Dan Chaon." Transatlantica. Revue d'études américaines. American Studies Journal 2 (2012).
