My Impending Death

Angus Truax is Mr. Misery%E2%80%94an apt nickname, not only because of his work as a New Jersey newspaper profiler of those who suffer misfoturne, but because he is fed up with himself, and with life. He gives himself 30 days to get things ready for his impending death. But he is distracted when a "circus" comes to East Orange in the form of his brother Robert, who has retreated from his pilgrimage of sorts; Eka, Angus's landlady's ailing aide; and Eka's son. Laser's tight writing, lively descriptions, and witty tone are hypnotic and hilarious, and the plot is intriguing and filled with surprises. The first-person narrative provides a rich characterization of the misanthropic Truax, who appears to have no patience or respect for himself, let alone others. In spite of these flaws, he is ironically quite endearing. Though he considers himself self-centered, Truax does his best to make considerations for a "thoughtful suicide." Equally affecting are his keen observations of unfortunate aspects of society: his job "[turns] the needy into machines for extracting donations," and children "can't breathe for five minutes on end without returning to a computer for recharging." Though Truax's descriptions of others are often wickedly biting, at times they are filled with a vulnerable honesty, as are his self-deprecating remarks: "I assume I look just as hideous to the young as my grandparents looked to me." Truax revels in the tragicomedy of life. (July)