Infinite Rooms

Griffin (The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb) assembles an enjoyably befuddling hall of mirrors that tantalizes with false and untrustworthy reflections of reality. Its viewpoint character is Donald Clement, a psychologically disturbed young man who constructs mindrooms, safe mental spaces for which he scripts “filmics” to help him keep a grip on reality. Many of his filmics involve his ex-wife, Bernadette, for whom he writes a more loving relationship, and his antagonistic psychiatrist, Dr. Leibkov (who claims his name is actually Smythe). As Donald’s experiences turn increasingly bizarre—at one point he sees the titanic figure of Neptune rising from the sea—it’s clear that inner and external reality are becoming confused for him; in fact, the entire story and the characters populating it may be mere constructs within his mind. Griffin makes Donald’s world wonderfully off-kilter and sustains that vision for much longer than would seem possible. There’s no real way for him to resolve Donald’s predicament, but the lack of conclusion won’t bother readers who let themselves be swept away by the story. (Dec.)