In a surreal mash-up of genres, 'Gun, with Occasional Music' follows the hilariously twisted journey of a private detective in a dystopian future where animals talk and a quirky underworld thrives. The protagonist, Conrad Metcalf, grapples with a murder mystery that entangles him in a web of bizarre characters and philosophical quandaries. As he navigates a world where memory and reality blur, the narrative deftly explores themes of identity, love, and existential absurdity. With sharp wit and a distinctive style, Lethem invites readers into an offbeat universe that challenges the conventions of noir fiction. Prepare for a mind-bending ride that will leave you questioning the very fabric of reality.
By Jonathan Lethem
Published: 2003
""In the future, every thought will be monitored, every feeling will be doubted, and the past will be rewritten by those in power. But even in that bleakness, the soul yearns for authenticity, for connection, for the wildness of being human.""
In a bizarre, noirish world shared by people and intelligent animals, Conrad Metcalf, a human private detective, finds one of his cases has drawn him into a conflict between gangsters and the Inquisitor's office. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.
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“"In the future, every thought will be monitored, every feeling will be doubted, and the past will be rewritten by those in power. But even in that bleakness, the soul yearns for authenticity, for connection, for the wildness of being human."”
Gun, with Occasional Music
By Jonathan Lethem
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Jonathan Lethem is an acclaimed American author known for his genre-blending novels that often incorporate elements of science fiction, crime, and literary fiction. He is the author of numerous notable works, including 'Motherless Brooklyn,' which won the National Book Critics Circle Award, 'The Fortress of Solitude,' a coming-of-age story set in Brooklyn, and 'Chronic City,' a surreal reflection on contemporary life in New York City. Lethem's writing is characterized by its inventive prose, rich character development, and a keen exploration of cultural references, making him a unique voice in modern literature.
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