Chance: A Novel - Kem Nunn

This year I read two recently published debut novels in a row by directors of writing programs at big name schools. Both had the same edgy writing-workshop structure: the entire novel was comprised of short paragraphs separated by four lines of space. Each paragraph was barely related to the next one in terms of chronology or subject. The book blurbs were glowing, something to the effect of, "A glimmering, unforgettable construction. Read this book now." In fact, they were completely forgettable, academic exercises that would have been more likely written in the late 1960s.

Today I finished the most recent novel by Kem Nunn, a writer I would guess these literati dismiss with a wave of the hand over a "craft cocktail" at a celebrity chef's restaurant. I was delighted to find a story, well developed characters, and OMG a plot. Chance: A Novel is a contemporary noir mystery that was a compelling read and very well written. This guy can really craft a sentence, which will probably not be recognized by the ivory tower because of his genre.

In this novel an expert witness physician becomes obsessed with a multi-personality client. She is being abused by her husband who is a dirty homicide detective. Along the way, Dr. Chance meets some wonderful, well-developed, believable characters. Carl is an elderly, elegant gay black man who deals in antiques, not always above board. He has a taste for young, violent, leather-boys. Nunn's portrait of Carl is very empathetic and touching, without being patronizing. Big D reconditions furniture for Carl. D is maybe ex-military, certainly well trained in martial arts, definitely huge, and probably mentally ill. He becomes a philosophical street adviser to Chance, and a big help as Doc tries to rescue the damsel in distress. There is some great word-smithing in this noir.