Union Atlantic, By Adam Haslett
This land dispute needs tighter border controls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Much as I admired Adam Haslett's novel – about a war-veteran-turned-investment banker, Doug Fanning, and his conflict with a retired socialist historian, Charlotte Graves, over the land Doug has chosen to build his garish new mansion on – I couldn't help wondering how it might have turned out in the hands of say, the late Carol Shields or Alice Munro.
Doug is on the brink of financial disaster and criminal indictment, he just doesn't know it yet; Charlotte is a lonely old spinster who once had a great love. Their battle is a microcosm of what is going on in the world, but their tale lacks emotional punch, suggesting that Haslett had a bit too much of the wider picture in his mind to concentrate on the small stuff.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments