Discerning Between Truth and—

What would I do if cast out of my life with nothing?Forced to ask ourselves this question in the first two chapters genre-bending, disturbing novel—John Bennion's most complex yet—we get, early on, a glimpse what he's up to: verb tense shifts from scene scene, as Lily, our protagonist, is her life, deprived by vicious ex money, credit, phone, home, and child, she must now cite paragraph-long lists privileges possessions impossible obtain without those keys entitlement. Her memories recount story wealth-endowed marriage checkered past before that, accompanying art, ostensibly Lily herself. All has are dire uncertainties, both about will happen next actually happening now. Does have borderline personality disorder, insists, or not? Who been abusing whom? Has really done it seems he done? that? Where can get help? telling truth? Is there truth that be told situation?So far, these chapters, less than 10 percent book's total length, we're into depths anxiety, not only for but ourselves. We don't know whom believe. It does seem clear Lily's world hurt. With few three hundred fifty dollars wallet—all money now, given closed down bank accounts stolen belongings all legal approbation—she goes Deseret Industries buy herself change clothes. There finds buys, cents, an “Executive Decision Maker.” device spins help decide do—in process providing novel's title. The theme, devices storytelling spin far ordinary expected.It isn't until third chapter we see another Bennion uses tale: insertion authorial self, series passages interrupting comment own voice. There's no mistaking it: identifies himself author novel, self-reflective questions theme craft, verisimilitude verifiability, choice possibility. He liberally quotes Emmanuel Levinas, “[his] Virgil on journey self-exploration” (167), Kant, many other writers, ruminating ethicality doing novelist well implications choices (which are, course, his).At point reader—just like Lily—has little say, Okay, unsettling ride. Might settle in. Take one at time figure how it.But there's such path. says real actual Executive Maker (a vintage novelty toy) determined course plot—of happenstance—as wrote (80). even allowed his students lot least once just commits tells (though sets rules, since cast-off machine blank), always directed, wasn't he, we, want Lily.Spinning Maker, determines which direction travel run away spouse law enforcement enlistswhat transportation usehow long stay each new placeSoon realizes needs EDM anchor her, anchor. She “outside institutions us” (123), so where go, looking use, because can't trust anything else. Though knows level crazy behavior, risk becoming crazier, grounded any reality. Neither church nor law, neither capitalism social organizations grant needs. Only following wheel feel semblance control.By increments perceptions turn upside down. homeless undesirable former affluent self ignored detested. detests more people inside stores agencies who refuse money. Utilizing shoplifting skills entertained high school, scavenges food daughter herself, resolving whatever order flee husband system hers keep. She'll steal; she'll hide; identity; perhaps especially, lie. “In writing rules,” Bennion. continues: In fictional parts book it's expected I'm making things up. When essay voice, here, problem comes mixing two, especially when say some random, determine happens makes choices. am lying Even sure. . [Lily's] lies expand potential universe bring possibilities being. lie create future. (141)Lily through several mercies: she's daughter, they're kind anyway, observing destitution, gets enough punitive ex-husband becomes safe relatively time. situation, largely built lies, creates life. vigorously avoiding spoilers here novel much pleasure push-pull wanting protagonist worse trouble already very next, survive, make found out.As builds itself around fabricated identity, quite moneyed, narcissistic (but he?), reveals devices, manipulations, demonstrating communities evolve, member member, need need, individual individual, never option complete safety. watch other, then priorities arise depend thought could. Gangs, random acts violence kindness, narrow escapes, generous helpers—all us were nothing chance.Another identity later, layer project: Why man late sixties write lovely young woman? [Am I] voyeur character? admire intelligence, will, determination, devotion child. Writing, tension between myself host guest. I've invited head, obligated care her. come believe emotional health depends ability open Other, [to welcome] guests house mind [become] respectful they perceive themselves. (293–95, 319)Through roller coaster post-divorce-court working (I was going “playing with,” serious that) notions free cosmic forces, capacity, justice. How control? blame factor, person, vicissitudes their—or own—lives? said constructed? constitutes reality? Can extricate circumstances, ever, moment? Whom trust?Good bad happen. end? You'll keep reading find out, every story, philosophical mini-essay your assumptions possibilities—in novel-reading, Mormon upbringing secular education—are upended.There meanings word “cast” directions Maker. nothing, wants think castaways. Nothing, wealth place society safety, stone. must—we do—all futures spinning brains hearts. Spin may optimistic you'll read year, sure provocative compelling. lucky indeed John midst, ever-evolving magic; BCC Press publish magic attempt discern impossibly slippery castings trust, survival, truth.