The Agonies
The Agonies by Ben Faulkner, published by Arcade on March 25, 2025, is a literary work that explores the complexities of youth and identity. This 168-page book presents the story of Armand Bernal, a young man grappling with dislocation and disorientation in a modern landscape marked by uncertainty. Through his journey, Faulkner delves into themes of alienation and the challenges of navigating relationships and societal expectations.
Readers will find a bildungsroman that reflects the trials of contemporary youth, as Armand confronts his fears and the pressures of a collapsing world. The narrative captures the essence of coming of age in an absurdist context, highlighting the internal struggles that lead him toward a pivotal moment of violence. The Agonies invites exploration of the psychological landscape of its protagonist, offering insights into the chaotic experience of growing up in today’s society.
Official synopsis Publisher
In the tradition of Albert Camus, J. D. Salinger, and Osamu Dazai, the archetype of the savage young man at the precipice returns in Ben Faulkner’s hypnotic debut, The Agonies.
Armand Bernal is breaking apart. The trials of youth become a torrential odyssey of dislocation and disorientation. In this bildungsroman for our modern age—an age of collapse—Ben Faulkner has created an unforgettable character wary of work, college, relationships, and the world at large, becoming an unstable young man moving toward an act of terrifying violence. Will he survive the gothic America of The Agonies?
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