Chronic City

In Jonathan Lethem's compelling new novel, Chase Insteadman, a former child star, navigates the complexities of life in Manhattan while grappling with the tragic plight of his fiancée, Janice Trumbull, who is stranded on the International Space Station. As he attends upscale dinner parties and lives in a haze of celebrity status, Chase's world is turned upside down by the enigmatic pop critic Perkus Tooth, who introduces him to a darker side of the city filled with conspiracy and existential questions. Joined by Oona Laszlo, a ghostwriter, and Richard Abneg, a former activist turned fixer, they embark on a quest to uncover elusive truths in a society overwhelmed by illusions and desires. The novel paints a vivid and multifaceted portrait of city life, exploring the tensions between reality and deception.