 | |
| Author | John Darnielle |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
Publication date | 2014 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 978-0374292089 |
Wolf in White Van is the first novel by the American author and singer-songwriter John Darnielle. Wolf in White Van tells the story of Sean Phillips, a reclusive game designer whose face has been severely disfigured. One reviewer characterizes Sean as someone "steeped in video games, bad sci-fi movies, and Conan the Barbarian comic books".[1] The plot, which is told non-chronologically, alternates among Sean's childhood, adolescence, and adulthood to describe the circumstances surrounding the incident that disfigured him. A fictional play-by-mail role-playing game called Trace Italian figures prominently in the novel.
The novel has been described as a "meditation on the power of escape,"[2] exploring the escapist qualities of fantasy fiction and role-playing games, particularly as a way to cope with trauma. Wolf in White Van received positive reviews on release and was nominated for the 2014 National Book Award.[3]
- ^ Machado, Carmen Maria. "The Monstrous And The Beautiful Dance In 'White Van'". NPR.org. Published September 12, 2014.
- ^ Gilsdorf, Ethan. Book review. New York Times. Published November 7, 2014.
- ^ List of 2014 nominees. National Book Foundation.