In his premiere novel, Morgan Talty delves into themes of self-identity, a sense of belonging, grief, accompanied with the narrations people create, complying to understand their existence. The narrative takes place in the quaint Native American community of Penobscot, nestled in the frosty surroundings of Maine, using minimalistic yet emotive and often humorous, eerie and purely exquisite language.
The story is centred around Charles Lamosway, a solitary man living in destitution, undertaking menial tasks around the area and looking after his persistently melancholic mother, Louise. Their dwelling is a remote cabin near a river that forms the reservation demarcation, where he can view his past sweetheart, Mary’s residence on the opposite bank.
Charles’s identity shapes while being raised in the tribe and by his cherished yet late Penobscot stepfather, Frederick. Although Charles and Louise are both white, the harsh laws safeguarding the tribal sovereignty deny Charles’s living rights on the reservation. An early revelation in the book discloses Charles’s most heartbreaking secret: he fathered a child with Mary, who wed a tribal member to secure their daughter, Elizabeth’s complete roster in the Penobscot Nation. This falsity threatens to destabilize Charles and only starts untangling as time goes on.
In the novel ‘Fire Exit’, time isn’t linear. A minor episode from the past when Charles nearly interacted with infant Elizabeth, resonates throughout the book. As Louise plunges into the sorrowful abyss of dementia, her mind frequently travels through time. Charles’s life is saved from sheer solitude by his boastful, alcoholic friend, Bobby, who lives in the yet to come. He plans to migrate to Florida soon and wishes for Charles to accompany him, a plotline that keeps them both hopeful.
The novel ‘Fire Exit’ by Morgan Talty is a debut representation of difficulties with a gentle stroke and indelible print. ‘Let’s Dance’ by Lucy Sweeney Byrne narrates the tale of cocaine, consumerism and deep solitude. Dermot Bolger’s ‘Hide Away’ discusses a grim subject, offering an inspiring read. A remarkable novel by author Ursula Parrott, who is underestimated despite deserving a substantial reader base.
Narrative, or better yet, narratives, play a vital role here in Talty’s work of Native American literature, which adds to the ever-growing wealth of its genre. His narration does not proceed in a straightforward manner. It’s constructed of semi-revealed, entangled accounts that are reminiscent of faint traces discernable in a shadowy oil painting, dimly lit. They slowly uncover the dichotomy of tales – how they can unify us whilst simultaneously pulling us apart; how they provide a sense of belonging, mitigate past sorrows and calm future worries.
Charles, who has never come to terms with losing his daughter, finds out about Elizabeth’s sickness and becomes fixated on the idea that her authentic story could rescue her from the severe depression that his mother endured. However, what would be the repercussions of exposing the reality to someone who perhaps needs to latch onto the narrative?
“Fire Exit” portrays struggles with subtlety and an indelible ink. This book may linger in your memory for quite some time.
The critique is provided by Helena Mulkerns, an independent critic.