The Opposite of Art

Readers looking for a quest novel tinged with the supernatural, allegory, and metaphysical leanings will find much to ponder in Christy Award%E2%80%93winner Dickson's newest. Artist Sheridan Ridler loses his girlfriend Suzanna and nearly his life on the same night, events that propel him into a life-long quest to recreate in art what he calls "the Glory." His journey takes him to a guru and meditation, then Thailand in search of karma. His search for the Glory comes up empty despite encountering a Turkish Sufi holy man, a Jewish rabbi, a Mexican circus. and Christendom's greatest art. . An unknown daughter, a greedy art dealer, and a murderer add surreal tones. The allegorical significance of the artist-character's search for meaning is evident, as is Dickson's skill with language; the telling, however, can become confusing, as time and narrative reality flow without obvious pattern. (Sept.)