Exley, the novel's title - as in American writer Frederick Exley (pictured above), author of his notorious 1968 fictionalized autobiography, A Fan’s Notes

Contemporary American author Brock Clarke’s moving story of a son’s love for his missing dad. The novel takes place in Watertown, New York at the time of George W. Bush's war in Iraq,

The book features two alternating first-person narrators: a nine-year old boy by the name of Miller and Miller’s therapist, a doctor who, during the course of his dealings with Miller, receives initiation into the literary world of A Fan’s Notes. By my reckoning, the novel’s switching back and forth between narrators, young patient and seasoned therapist, is the perfect choice for all of the tale's surprising twists and turns.

Take my word for it here, Clarke’s novel packs a real emotional charge. As readers, we want to keep turning the pages to learn what happens next, to discover what is fact and what is fiction since Miller and his therapist have their big hearts in the right place but their respective stories are as unreliable as can be.

Every stage of the unfolding drama reveals surprises so I will not disclose any details that could act as spoilers; rather, here is a thumbnail of each of the three, no, let’s make that four, main characters:

Miller Le Ray - Since Miller at age nine is a precocious reader of books, he is moved up from third grade to seventh grade with a class of thirteen-year olds. He loves his dad so much and since his dad loves Frederick Exley’s A Fan’s Notes, owning many copies, reading and rereading it to the point where he can and does quote freely and allude to continually, Miller does the same. For example, Miller will say or write the first initial of someone’s name, say “K” or “H” similar to what Exley does in his book and, by extension, similar to his dad. Miller lives with his mom and develops a tight emotional connection with his therapist.

Miller’s Mom – Drop dead gorgeous with dark eyes and jet black hair. She is a dedicated professional, the head lawyer in her office where she handles cases of spousal abuse among military personnel. She has plenty of work since Watertown is a big military town. Miller’s mom loves Miller and judges her son in need of some psychotherapy to help him in dealing with his missing father. Thus, she arranges for Miller to see a therapist.

Miller’s Therapist – An experienced and educated psychologist and counselor who continually refers to himself as a health care professional, which has a tincture of irony since a number of his actions are very unprofessional. He also is a thirty-something bachelor who falls deeply in love at first sight with Miller’s mom. The lion’s share of his narrative is a reciting of his Doctor’s Notes, which, as it turns out, isn’t that far removed from Exley’s A Fan’s Notes.

Frederick Exley and his autobiographical novel – The book and the long dead author have a tangible presence on every page; it’s as if there is an Exleyesque film coating thoughts, words and actions. Brock Clarke’s novel will most certainly resonate with an added vibe for readers familiar with Exley’s book.

Incidentally, I intentionally did not give the names of either Miller’s mother or Miller’s therapist since Miller himself employs names as Exleyesque signifiers and also as modes of potential transformation. Does it sound to you like Miller is a bright, perceptive lad? Quite right, which adds a real zest to Clarke's engaging novel.


American author Brock Clarke, born 1968

“There's nothing as quiet as that moment before one person is about to tell another something neither of them wants to hear.”
― Brock Clarke, Exley