cover image The Daredevils

The Daredevils

Gary Amdahl. Counterpoint/Soft Skull (PGW, dist.), $15.95 trade paper (368p) ISBN 978-1-59376-629-0

Existential questions are continually debated in this muddled novel from Amdahl (Visigoth), which takes place in America in the early 20th century. As a foreign war brews, union organizers are beginning to flex their muscles. Meanwhile, Charles Minot, born to a wealthy family, ponders where his place is in life, in his family, and in the universe. Living in San Francisco, Charles has an auspicious start in life as a well-known boy soprano who performs classical music with his mother. As an adult, he runs a theater (where he also performs), meeting an actress named Vera with a millworking background who is caught up in the burgeoning worker's movement. Some time after the theater is bombed%E2%80%94which may have originated in union dissatisfaction%E2%80%94Charles's father sets him up in Minnesota to mediate problems between wheat farmers and businessmen. Vera, accompanying him, becomes more drawn to union politics. Though there are some interesting themes%E2%80%94can a man of privilege really understand the plight of the working poor? How far can one go to sacrifice for the common good?%E2%80%94there's too much going on here, and the myriad philosophical ruminations and confusing dream-like passages undermine the story. (Feb.)