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August 06, 2007
"Ibid: A Novel" by Mark Dunn
Author Mark Dunn becomes a character in his own story, in "Ibid: A Novel." This is an odd book. In the early pages of the story, Mr. Dunn sends the one and only copy of his biography of Jonathan Blashette to his editor. This editor prefers to read books in the bathtub, which sets us up for the mishap of his toddler son dumping the manuscript in the filling tub. Dunn is unwilling to spend another two years recreating his book, so the editor decides to publish the only remaining part of the work -- the footnotes.
As a literary experiment, this is sort of interesting. We follow the story through the sidebars of the footnotes. But as a novel it makes it a bit awkward to read. Things don't flow like they typically do in a novel since we jump from footnote to footnote, so the regular continuity of ideas is less structured than in a normal novel. The content is interesting enough -- Blashette, is an unusual man -- was born with three legs, worked as a "circus freak" as a boy, served in WWI, started a successful deodorant company and became a philanthropist. His love life was less successful (the women he loved die young and in Boston).
Though I wouldn't consider this a great read, it is an interesting premise.
ISBN: 978-0156-03100-4
Pam, reserves
Posted by jnardine at August 6, 2007 08:48 AM