A Frolic of His Own

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With the publication of his first novel in 1955, William Gaddis was recognized as a major literary figure, and his subsequent works have solidified his status among America's leading contemporary writers. His long-awaited fourth novel explores the complexities of life in a litigious society. The story opens with a biting commentary on justice, as Oscar Crease, a middle-aged college instructor and playwright, sues a Hollywood producer for appropriating his play, Once at Antietam, and transforming it into a sensational film. Oscar's legal battle, along with various other absurd lawsuits—ranging from a dog caught in a sculpture to wrongful death claims—draws in a cast of characters, including his free-spirited girlfriend, wealthy stepsister, and his strict, elderly father, a Federal Judge who has banished God from his courtroom. As the narrative unfolds through a maze of depositions and legal jargon, it challenges the cultural values surrounding art, literature, and originality. Gaddis crafts a whirlwind of voices—lawyers, family, and desperate individuals—all navigating the chaotic landscape of the law. Central to this cacophony is Oscar's voice, representing the struggle of the "last civilized man" against the overwhelming force of money in modern society.