There Must Be Some Mistake A Novel
There Must Be Some Mistake A Novel by Frederick Barthelme, published by Little, Brown on October 7, 2014, is a literary work that explores the life of Wallace Webster, a fiftyish graphic designer facing retirement. Set in Kemah, Texas, at a condo development where residents are increasingly passing away, the narrative unfolds through a series of unexpected events that lead Wallace to reassess his life and relationships. The novel captures his interactions with his ex-wife, grown daughter, and a former coworker, as well as a unique affair with a neighbor, all while he navigates the complexities of aging and mortality.
Readers will find a thoughtful examination of human connections and the mundane realities of modern life woven throughout the story. As Wallace reflects on his past and the choices he has made, he grapples with the notion of whether settling for less than his aspirations is a sign of cowardice or practicality. The book delves into themes of existence and introspection, offering a blend of humor and poignancy that characterizes Barthelme’s writing style. With 304 pages, this edition presents a rich narrative that invites contemplation on the human condition.
Official synopsis Publisher
A fiftyish graphic designer forced into retirement discovers, via a parade of unlikely events, that it may still be a lovely day in the neighborhood, by “the master of the low-key epiphany.” (The New Yorker)
Wallace Webster lives alone in Kemah, Texas at Forgetful Bay, a condo development where residents are passing away at an alarming rate. As he monitors events in the neighborhood, Wallace keeps in touch with his ex-wife, his grown daughter, a former coworker for whom he has much averted eyes, and a somewhat exotic resident with whom he commences an off-beat affair.
He sifts through the curious accidents that plague his neighbors, all the while reflecting on his past and shortening future. Required to reflect upon his own mortality, he wonders if “settling for” something less than he aspired to is a kind of cowardice, or just good sense.
Beneath the arresting repartee and the ever-present and often satisfying banality of our modern lives–from Google searches to real life mysteries on TV–lies Frederick Barthelme’s affection for and curiosity about our human condition. THERE MUST BE SOME MISTAKE is warm and wry, beautifully written, and completely irresistible.
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