Escape from Oblivia by Brian Kindall

Escape from Oblivia is Brian Kindall's latest novel, part adventure story, part midlife crisis, and part allegory. Unlike his previous works, this book is set decidedly in modern times, giving Kindall the opportunity to examine masculinity and the tropes of manliness in literature. If you were born any time during the 20th century, then you would be aware of these tropes from macho adventure books, comic books, action movies, and the like; they were prevalent across all media. These tropes have been long overdue for a reckoning and Kindall is the man up for the task.

Main character Will Kirby is diligently working on a book about his favorite writer: Richard Henry Banal. Part fiction writer and part adventurer ala Indiana Jones, Banal is just the macho man / adventurer / author who stands upon the alter which Kirby worships. Kirby, like Banal, is also a fiction writer, but of modest success and practically unknown to the literary world. The library where Kirby researches Banal employs two, flirty librarians who admire Kirby for his under-appreciated western novel as well as his allure as a local writer ripe for discovery. But once Kirby goes down the rabbit hole of discovering Banal’s true identity, he grapples with the constructs of what makes a man so manly. Couple this with his own nascent marital problems and Kirby finds himself in a full-blown, midlife crisis. Fun and adventure will be had! But at what cost?

Escape from Oblivia is both a satire and an adventure story, one that begins in the doldrums of modern life then morphs into a no-holds barred adventure story that is just as absurd as it is action-packed, almost like an up-to-date reimagining of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Initially told in first-person by protagonist Will Kirby, Kindall constructs a narrative that is both humorous and thoughtful, as Kirby relays his misgivings of devolving from a promising writer to a milquetoast stay-at-home dad. But as Kirby grapples with his mid-life crisis, the story shifts into a macho, adventure rendered in third-person, filled with adrenaline, mystical creatures, lusty island women, and absurdism deluxe. It’s a fun combination. Those that enjoy their stories wrapped up neatly will be slightly disappointed, as some of Kirby’s marital / familial issues early on in the story are not resolved. The reader will have to decide for themselves if Kirby feels his family life is worth returning to. But in the meantime, I will be returning to more books by Brian Kindall, an excellent writer with a vivid imagination and wry sense of humor.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend it. I would give this novel 4 and 1/2 stars.

Buy the paperback on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/152/9781736106815