Down Time

In Martin’s well-observed but listless third outing (after the story collection Cool for America), a group of loosely connected 30-somethings float through the Covid-19 era. Aaron, a writer, falls for a man he meets in rehab but stays with his girlfriend, Cassandra, a teacher at a Boston prep school, who views picking him up at the recovery facility as the latest episode of “Aaron’s career-defining, cringe comedy franchise,” in which she plays the “exasperated sidekick.” Cassandra’s ex-boyfriend Malcolm is, like Aaron, a writer and a “charming depressive with a drinking problem.” Malcolm, who lives in New York City with his partner, Violet, a doctor, commutes to teach at Boston University. The final member of the friend group is Antonia, a literary scholar who owes her “moderately productive academic career” to “weed plus Adderall divided (?) by Lexapro.” The narrative flits from one character to the next as they cope with cheating partners, endure lockdown, and question their professional, romantic, and creative choices. Ambivalence and apathy reign; the only characters passionate about anything are satirically drawn supporting players, such as an insufferable experimental musician who has a fling with Antonia. Though stacked with witty observations, this novel, much like its cast, lacks direction. Agent: Amelia Atlas, CAA. (Mar.)