Apathy is as apathy does
I run the risk of losing my lofty post as laziest Page Turner by writing a second blog entry, but fate’s forcing my hand. A friend asked me what “slacker fiction” is the other day (OK, it was weeks ago, but I got distracted). And now I’m bugged that perhaps t
he concept is not readily clear.
Slacker fiction is about the underachiever who finds himself (rarely are there fictional female slackers) in over his head because of extraordinary events that intrude into his happy life of slumping to a lackluster job, eating bland meals, making caustic comments and sleeping. These books are usually sprinkled with pithy philosophy that adds that delightful touch of snark. And there’s usually at least one truly revolting description of a bodily function just for gross-out points.
Chuck Palahniuk is the reigning prince of slacker fiction, of course. And Paul Neilan writes in his first book "Apathy and Other Small Victories" like he’s trying channel Palahniuk, but he turns his story into a sort of murder mystery that keeps some momentum going. And along the way he’s got the elements of slacker fiction going for him.
Dead-end job.
Check.
An overblown sense of entitlement.
Check.
Pop culture references used in an effort to appear both indolent and clever.
Check.
Weird friends.
Check.
Bad relationship with significant other, parents, siblings.
Check, check, check.
In "Apathy" the main character Shane wanders aimlessly through dental work (which he will never pay for), his temp job at an insurance company (where he spends most of his day sleeping in the men’s restroom), and inebriation followed by stealing salt shakers and being sexually brutalized by his perky and goal-oriented girlfriend. And then he’s accused of murdering his deaf dental hygienist.
Shane eventually figures everything out (mostly by accident). "Apathy" is not brilliant, it’s not high art, it’s not even a long read, but it does have some funny bits. Like the slacker life, it’s good enough.
