Affliction

In this masterwork of contemporary American fiction by Russell Banks, we are introduced to Wade Whitehouse, a troubled well-digger and policeman in a bleak New Hampshire town. Once a high-school star, Wade's descent into a life marked by loneliness and a mean streak embodies the darker aspects of masculinity. Through the perspective of his articulate younger brother, Wade's tragic journey unfolds with a gripping intensity, portraying the silent affliction of violence that haunts him and those around him.