Wichita

Wichita

Author: Thad Ziolkowski

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Lydia

            Wry wit, vivid imagery, and intelligent pop culture references abound in this quirky novel about a wayward man who returns home to find his family life in ruins. Set in Wichita, Kansas, college graduate Lewis Chopin returns to find his New Age mother busy with her current business of the moment—storm chasing tours—and his brother on the verge of another mental breakdown. The family is so crazy that Lewis—adrift, unemployed, and recently dumped by his longtime girlfriend—actually seems to be the most normal of them all. 

            This is essentially the plot of the novel, but the story told is far from thin and weak. The novel is layered with Lewis’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences as he watches his peculiar brother slowly unravel while his mother slips further into denial. The humor in this novel masks a truly crushing sadness as the Chopin family, each member dealing with his or her own issues, attempts to stick by each other in a troubled time.

 Ziolkowski’s acerbic novel demonstrates what it means to live—both alone and in relation to others—in the twenty-first century. The ending is raw, powerful, and as gripping as a tornado itself. I finished this book in a matter of days, and then recommended it to everyone I know. It’s just that good.