Gone Tomorrow

by P.F. Kluge

George Canaris is a writer. Heck, he’s written two great novels and a collection of essays. What will he do next?

Well, an obscure liberal arts college in Ohio has invited him to join the faculty. His editor scoffs at the idea, but George accepts the invitation.

Fast forward: three decades after he comes to campus, George still hasn’t written anything. Or has he? When he dies unexpectedly, his literary executor is faced with the task of finding the elusive third novel. After all, he often referred to it as “The Beast.” Surely it exists, doesn’t it?

One cannot help but to enjoy George’s story: how he stopped being a writer and became a teacher instead. It is also about campus politics, literary politics, and the pressure to publish or perish.

I devoured this novel. If you enjoyed Straight Man or Rookery Blues, you’ll also like Gone Tomorrow.

8/11/09