Luscious Literature - Ken Kalfus' A Disorder Peculiar to the Country

By James Keough
Collegian Staff
April 18, 2007

The premise of A Disorder Peculiar to the Country, by Ken Kalfus, will sound, to many Americans, blasphemous, distasteful, unpatriotic and inhumane. However, it is a richly layered work with insights involving the human condition and the emotional crisis of post September 11 America.

The book follows the ruthless divorce of Marshall and Joyce Harriman, opening at the exact moment when the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. At the end of the day, both Marshall and Joyce believed the other to be dead in the attack, and are thrilled. The realization that this is not the case presents the reality that this is the beginning of a long and drawn out conflict, not the end.

As the book progresses, Kalfus carefully showcases the existential hazards of American divorce in the context of the War on Terror, tackling the baggage of the nasty separation, as well as the confusion and fear typical to post 9-11 Americans.

Kalfus draws the analogy carefully, fleshing the characters of Joyce, Marshall and their two children out masterfully, grounding them with unique conflicts that could only be witnessed within this book’s bold premise.

The divorce becomes a battle of the spirit between Marshall and Joyce as both are haunted by the nameless conflict that perpetuates their hate. They search for validity amongst the rubble of their former life, faced by questions of truth and objectivity at every turn.

Needless to say, the unique opening of the book demands an equally challenging conclusion. The ending of this book completes Kalfus’ analogy in such a way that it turns the emotional state of the characters, as well as the reader, on its ear. It is highly perplexing but also insightful, drawing on honesty and impartiality in a way that could make some people uncomfortable.

However, the rewards of reading Disorder far outweigh the risks. Kalfus challenges his readers, as any good author should, and does so to our benefit. Through his brilliant characters and bold situational setting, Kalfus successfully tackles numerous issues that have raged through the American consciousness both prior to and after 9-11.

keoughj1@lasalle.edu