by Sam Lipsyte
First published 2019
Hark Morner bombed as a stand-up comic, so he reinvented himself as a mindfulness teacher. His program called Mental Archery promises focus and peace to Americans drowning in political chaos and cultural breakdown. Meanwhile, Fraz and Tovah struggle through a marriage crisis that Mental Archery might not fix. Their relationship deteriorates as civilization seems to collapse around them. Strange forces gather power: a rogue academic ethicist, a Swedish kidnapper with gentle intentions, a social media mogul watching his empire crumble, and a slimy but influential catfish. These fringe players threaten whatever stability remains. Fraz and Tovah must decide if their marriage deserves saving in a world gone mad. They fight for love and meaning while absurdity spreads everywhere. Sam Lipsyte crafts sharp social commentary through the lens of ordinary people seeking dignity amid chaos.
Genres: satire, literary-fiction, american-fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: dark, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: absurdity-spreads, ordinary-people
305 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon & Schuster