Flash and Filigree

A satirical, dreamlike journey through 1950s Los Angeles, this novel follows Dr. Frederick Eichner as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the entrancing Felix Treevly, leading him into a series of bizarre and surreal situations. With the help of eccentric characters like a drunken private detective and a mad judge, the story blends comedy, violence, and poetic delicacy to explore themes of madness and mayhem. Celebrated as a striking example of Southern’s sharp prose, the book is renowned for its dark humor and inventive narrative style.