In this convoluted novel-within-a-novel structure, we’re in counterfactual, history-as-delusion territory. Kennedy has survived many assassination attempts in his third presidential term and relentlessly pursues the Vietnam War. His “Psych Corps” use a process called “enfolding” (involving the use of a drug) to help the many traumatised veterans forget their experiences. But it doesn’t always work. Rake, for whom the treatment failed, is on a murderous rampage through the state of Michigan (where large numbers of veterans are concentrated) with a kidnapped (and also traumatised) young woman called Meg. She and Rake and his former comrade-in-arms Hank form one character triangle. Pursuing Rake are Singleton, an “enfolded” vet, and Wendy, who form the other character focus. We learn at the outset that the novel within the novel was written by a Vietnam vet who died by suicide; we are also cautioned that he may not be a reliable narrator. Means is a gifted writer who depicts nature in beautiful detail; his pacy narrative and dramatic scenes hold our attention but, at times, the sprawling nature of it all creaks at the edges.
