Canadian author Patrick deWitt, known for his Booker-shortlisted novel The Sisters Brothers, explores the road novel genre in his latest work, Dodge City. While contemporaries like Miranda July and Ben Markovits have interpreted road trips as metaphors for midlife crises, deWitt's novel hearkens back to the 1960s and youth.
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The narrative follows Leland “Lee” Clarke, a UCLA dropout who receives a draft notice for the Vietnam War after being expelled for a violent altercation with a fellow student. This incident costs him his draft deferment, and although he doesn’t see himself as a conscientious objector, he is determined to avoid deployment by heading to Canada.
Lee contemplates his troubled relationship with Cal, short for Calliope, the daughter of East Coast intellectuals, which has become strained due to their differing backgrounds. To finance his escape, Lee sells his car and takes a job delivering a Jaguar E-Type, mapping an L-shaped route from Los Angeles to New Jersey to visit his family. He plans to stop in Concrete, Montana, and Manhattan but intends to avoid his brother Harry due to past conflicts.
DeWitt stands out as a writer who has not followed the traditional MFA path, crafting literary fiction that retains wide appeal. His distinctive style, characterized by puns, archaism, and a fondness for the passive voice, often diverges from typical MFA conventions. While he risks sounding overly elaborate at times, his unique voice serves to create engaging and thought-provoking dialogue, reminiscent of writer Ivy Compton-Burnett.
The novel diverges from typical youth-focused tales, as Lee grapples with unresolved traumas from his past. His interactions with family members reflect deeper emotional journeys rather than mere farewells. Lee, described as “perfectly ordinary” in the style of Mann’s Hans Castorp, presents as relatable throughout the journey.
As the narrative unfolds, readers witness deWitt's evolution as a writer. His storytelling has become more introspective, reflecting a shift to themes of tenderness amidst the backdrop of a less whimsical and more contemplative atmosphere. Dodge City is a poignant exploration of past and present, offering an emotional depth that surprises those familiar with deWitt’s earlier works. The novel is published by HarperCollins for £18.99.