Banal Nightmare

More about the book

A ferocious novel by one of the boldest voices in American fiction, this story follows Margaret Anne (“Moddie”) Yance as she returns to her Midwestern hometown after a stressful decade in the city with a man she now views as a megalomaniac. Moddie abruptly ends her long-term relationship and seeks solace among her old friends, who are also grappling with the realities of approaching middle age. They navigate parties, past grievances, and dreams of triumph and revenge. When her friend Pam invites a mysterious East Coast artist for a winter residency at the local university, Moddie is forced to confront her past and the life she has created. As tensions rise, friendships will fracture, and loyalties will be tested. The narrative is filled with complex characters who both captivate and frustrate, as they embody the volatile and surreal atmosphere of modern life. This novel is a sadistically precise and hilarious exploration of the intricacies of relationships and the challenges of self-discovery in an ever-changing world.