Misfortune: A Novel

By the looks of things, a handful of contemporary writers are returning us to the wondrous days when novels - not movies - were the dominant narrative form. No longer are our best storytellers cowed by Hollywood (no relation) into producing elliptical, bloodless tomes that refuse to compete with more visceral media. Wesley Stace is unafraid to sauce his tale with a tangy dollop of vulgarity. No artless hack, Stace, like Marquez, Rushdie, Grass, and on these shores Irving, is a complete writer. In the library at noon and the whorehouse at midnight. Nabokov said that a writer's job is to enchant. Well, Wesley Stace wears the hat. Surrender yourself to MISFORTUNE and you will be in his spell. Or just stare at that author photo for a while.

"Misfortune" is more than a promising debut; it's a fulfilled promise. It's an astounding literary undertaking, and Stace pulls it off masterfully. Stace is an extremely gifted storyteller. His fiction writing is well served by his talents as a songwriter. His prose is lyrical, direct and momentous; his timing and sense of pace are impeccable. Rose's story is often heartbreaking, just as often hilarious, and always fascinating. She and the people who surround her occupy not only another century, but the furthest and most extraordinary reaches of that century, and yet we recognize them instantly. I can't think of another novel I've read in recent years with such well rendered scenes of childhood. The scenes with Rose and her playmates capture all the idyllic feelings of wonder, vitality, laughter and the seemingly endless possibilities of childhood--as well as the creeping onset of recognition that things cannot and will not remain this way. Rose's bewilderment--at her loss of invulnerability and her departure from a world where everything is more or less as it should be--is utterly transcendent. Each character in "Misfortune"--even those who appear for only a page or two--is exquisitely rendered. The Loveall family is populated with some of the most gruesome, petty and awful extended family members imaginable, yet they always remain human--and always hysterical. The scenes with some of the most infuriating and despicable members on the periphery of Rose's new family stand out as the moments of highest comedy in the book. This is one of the finest, most touching, funny and utterly enthralling novels I've read in years. I found myself wanting to leave social engagements early to get home and continue reading. The book itself also happens to be a design masterpiece: The cover of the hardback edition, and the sublime illustrations are befitting the classic it is destined to become. If this is Stace's first book, I can't wait to see what's next.

"Misfortune" is a hilarious, brilliant, warm-hearted and occasionally rather dirty literary adventure novel... think A.S. Byatt but less prissy. Actually, think A.S. Byatt but not prissy at all. I just finished reading it and am now somewhat at a loose end -- that feeling of having been engrossed in someone else's world (and century) for a week and not wanting to leave or face picking up another book.

Although this is his first novel, Wesley Stace has proven his absolute domination of the english language. I never would have guessed. Each sentence is so colorful and tells you so much about the characters in his novel that you find yourself breathless to see what will happen next. And you never know what will happen next as it is a most unpredictible story. Artistically weaving several different points of view in the first person narrative, Stace demonstrates a masterfully creative writing style. You can tell from his writing that he is also a lyricist. Sometimes writing tangeants that leave you wondering where on earth he is going, Stace inevitably brings you back full circle neatly and with greater understanding of the story and its characters. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading his next book.

From intriguing start to triumphant finish, Misfortune is a book that is difficult to put down. Full of fascinating characters, song, word games, and a twisted plot, this epic tale is sure to be enjoyed by many. Well done, Mr. Stace!