Small town reporter longs for invigoration of `Truth' in Collins' new novel
JULIE BENDER
Scene Writer
Murder, mystery and the desperation of a quiet American town are the central themes of this novel by Michael Collins. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, "The Keepers of Truth" takes the drama of a small town in the late 1970s and turns it into a national mystery.
The novel opens with a gloomy description of the desolation and emptiness of this post-industrial town. Dilapidated and crumbling, ancient factories provide the backdrop of the loneliness, hopelessness and suicide that haunts the history of the town. Once bustling and important, the town has now become a void on the map.
Mirroring this wretchedness is the life of Bill, the central character of the novel. Bill is the progeny of once-important figures from the days of production and abundance of the town.
A reporter for the daily newspaper, The Truth, Bill yearns to write essays examining the current state of America and why what was once enlivening hope has faded into mere hopelessness.
Condemned for his post-college enthusiasm, Bill is confined to writing reports of high school sporting events and town bake-offs. This drear monotony casts a sour shadow over life for Bill.
He sees his future already carved for him down a path of inescapable barrenness. Hope died with the suicide of his father a few years prior.
Very quickly, however, the pace of the novel accelerates when a town resident, Ronny Lawson, reports that his father is missing. Rumors of murder and betrayal filter among the people, and Bill latches on to the case with a newfound intensity.
Seeing a possibility for national recognition, and in that a chance to free himself from the shackles of middle-American dreariness, Bill entangles himself in the story and uncovers an unknown dimension of the town. This discovery reveals the true nature of humanity, one that transcends rules and law.
Collins writes this novel with a rare precision of language. Detailed are the minor occurrences of everyday life, which contribute to the universality of the town and its inhabitants.
With elaborate descriptions of the destitute town and its despondent people, a scene unfolds effortlessly in the minds of readers.
Perhaps most striking is Collins' ability to spawn characters of true humanity and reality. Such personalities are captivating and aid in the vacuuming suspense of the novel.
A truly enjoyable read, "The Keepers of Truth" engages the reader in not just a mystery, but a search for the essence of humanity.
All Scene Stories for Wednesday, February 20, 2002
