School of Velocity

Rubin’s alluring, emotionally precise debut illuminates the messy contours of friendship between two young Dutch men. Successful middle-aged concert pianist Jan de Vries, living in Maastricht, suffers increasingly from constant, discordant noises in his head that derail his performances. He flashes back to explain how an unresolved childhood friendship with Dirk torments him. After the impulsive, competitive Dirk steals and quickly tires of Jan’s first girlfriend, the two boys become inseparable as young teenagers. Dirk’s frenzied attitude and laissez-faire home life counterbalance Jan’s reserve and conservative family. Their shenanigans expand to include casual sexual encounters without consideration or labels. When Dirk leaves for college in America and Jan devotes himself more seriously to musical studies, the two almost completely lose contact. Though Jan finds increasing professional accolades and a solid, supportive relationship with the stabilizing Lena, Dirk’s periodic postcards and updates from mutual friends nag his peace. Seeking a solution to the auditory problem leads him back to Den Bosch, his hometown, and a gut-punching confrontation with Dirk. Jan’s secret suffering forms a robust center for this quietly haunting novel of collapsing delusions and the long afterlife of foundational relationships. (June)