The Chalk Artist by Allegra Goodman
Critically-acclaimed author Allegra Goodman takes a deep dive into the world of virtual reality gaming from multiple perspectives in her new novel, The Chalk Artist. While the choice of subject may at first seem curious, she’s created complex characters who offer crossover appeal to fans of both literary fiction and YA, and is sure to set off sparks in book clubs and conversations.
Collin, the artist of the title, is struggling to find his place in the world. When not working as a waiter, he designs magical sets for an itinerant theater company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His forte is drawing on blackboards, creating ephemeral art that disappears with the wipe of an eraser. His romantic interest, Nina, is a first-year teacher, unsure of her authority and wary of her father, the head of a wildly successful gaming company called Arkadia.
When Nina arranges for Collin to work for the company, she’s hoping to help him find his footing, but the lure of artistic and commercial acclaim sends him down a dark road. At the same time, one of Nina’s students, Aidan, has become addicted to Arkadia’s latest game, much to the dismay of his family – an overworked single mother and a concerned twin sister.
Goodman’s portrayal of the underworld of gaming is enchanting, mystical, and surreal. She pulls the reader close with a cinematic paintbrush – we aren’t watching a teenager play a videogame, but are there with him, in that world, brandishing swords and searching for the mysterious Daphne, who teases and enchants. A scene later, we’re awash in the panic of Aidan’s mom at the loss of her brilliant boy to an obsession she doesn’t understand.
With its riveting, intertwining plot lines, Goodman’s latest is a timely, astute gem that every reader will enjoy if they are looking for a thrill.
For more reviews by great authors, click here.
Buy this Book!
Amazon
