The Visible Man (novel)
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''The Visible Man: A Novel'' is a novel written by Chuck Klosterman, first published by
Scribner Scribner may refer to: Media * Charles Scribner's Sons, also known as Scribner or Scribner's, New York City publisher * ''Scribner's Magazine'', pictorial published from 1887–1939 by Charles Scribner's Sons, then merged with the ''Commentator ...
in 2011. It is the seventh book and second novel released by Klosterman.Ray, Austin L
Writer Chuck Klosterman presents 'The Visible Man'
''CNN''. March 30, 2016
Thematically, ''The Visible Man'' touches on the way media transforms reality, the meaning of culture, and the dissonance of self-perception. It became a '' New York Times'' bestseller the month of its release.


Plot synopsis

Victoria Vick, a therapist living in Austin, Texas, writes a book about her experience with a former client, Y___, a man whose name the reader never learns. Most of the novel takes the form of transcripts of their sessions based on recordings or memory. Years ago, their professional relationship begins with therapy session over the phone, during which Victoria comes to believe he is a disturbed and delusional. Y___ professes to be a scientist working on an aborted secret government project he calls "cloaking technology." With a combination of futuristic fabric and light-refracting cream, Y___ says he is able to make himself invisible. Victoria does not believe him, so he arrives for an appointment in the suit. After the shock of learning that the cloaking technology is real, Victoria ceases to challenge any of Y___'s other claims of his intelligence, his moral reasoning, and his often erratic and aggressive attitude. Y___ claims to spend most of his time observing people and living in their homes to learn how they behave when alone, which he insists is essential to completing his research. Y___ recounts stories from his observational research across numerous sessions, and Vick unsuccessfully attempts to diagnose and treat him. Victoria's focus on Y___ strains her relationship with her husband, John. Y___ reveals that he is experiencing transference and has romantic feelings for Victoria, which she rebuffs. After she tells John about Y___'s cloaking technology, John suspects that Y___ is invading their home to watch him, and Victoria also suspects that she is being watched. Vick attempts to enforce boundaries with Y___ and challenge the lies she believes he has told her; Y___ reacts poorly, quitting therapy and insisting that Victoria is denying her reciprocal feelings. Some time later, Y___ invisibly enters the Vick home at night and attempts to murder John. John falls down a flight of stairs and Victoria calls the police. Y___ flees. Afterward, John survives but is partially paralyzed. Victoria's last contact with Y___ is a letter.


Reception

''The Visible Man'' has received favorable reviews, with '' Entertainment Weekly'' giving it an A−. The ''
Dallas Morning News ''The Dallas Morning News'' is a daily newspaper serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, with an average print circulation of 65,369. It was founded on October 1, 1885 by Alfred Horatio Belo as a satellite publication of the ''Galvesto ...
'' said of the book, " tis a rich, fast-paced and funny novel made to entertain lovers of literary metafiction, sci-fi and thrillers."Duhr, Davi
Book review: The Visible Man, by Chuck Klosterman
''Dallas Morning News''. March 30, 2016
When asked about the book, Klosterman has said, "If somebody asked me, 'What is this book about?' and I know that I only have one sentence to tell them, I would say, 'Well, it's how it would be to be the invisible man's therapist.' But if I read a review that said that and simplified it down, I would be like, 'That's totally wrong!'"


References


External links


The Visible Man
at Simon & Schuster
Chuck Klosterman
on Twitter {{DEFAULTSORT:Visible Man, The 2011 American novels Novels set in Austin, Texas Works by Chuck Klosterman Charles Scribner's Sons books