Exile in the Kingdom

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Philip Carmichael is a popular high school student, excelling academically and athletically while living in an affluent household filled with modern gadgets. Well-liked by peers and teachers, he dates a popular girl and embodies the ideal young American. However, beneath this facade lies a troubling reality: he rarely sees his mother, who despises the man they live with, and only speaks to his biological father every two weeks. Much of his time is spent alone, heating packaged dinners, playing video games, and studying, leading to a sense of detachment and disaffection. As he approaches a moment of crisis, Philip is poised to commit an act of violence that will divide his small New England community. Written five years ago by Robert Harnum, the narrative reflects an alarming trend of increasing alienation among youth, culminating in violence. Harnum, previously unpublished in his own country, immerses readers in Philip's psyche, revealing the chilling symptoms of this disconnection. Even in rural Maine, where Harnum teaches, the pervasive presence of violence is undeniable. Philip emerges as both victim and perpetrator, sharing his unsettling story in a stark, detached voice that echoes existential themes reminiscent of Camus' work.