Fiona Davis Examines the Destructive Lure of Technology in Allegra Goodman’s ‘The Chalk Artist’
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…