Psychologist Joel Avery believes he has scored the job of his dreams. A pediatric private practice is about to launch a groundbreaking trial to reduce the use of medication in children, and Joel, only a few years out of college, is hired as the trial’s lead counselor. Not only does the trial provide him with an opportunity to become a leader in the field, but his new salary and future bonuses finally allow him to make the move from a basement studio apartment to his own condo in Boston’s ritzy Back Bay. Soon after starting, Joel is asked by a former acquaintance to help diagnose a friend, Jack Allman, who had a breakdown while at work and is not communicating with doctors. As Joel investigates Jack’s life in his off-hours and gathers clues that Jack’s employer desperately does not want him to find, Joel faces increasing conflict with his own employer when he discovers his practice’s medical trial is actually designed to increase medication in children. Joel’s attempts to modify the trial and do what is best for the patients cause growing friction with his colleagues, culminating in a brash action that puts his entire career at risk. Only by persisting in uncovering the secret that drove Jack to break down is Joel able to clearly see the directions his own life can take and understand the choice he must make between the incredible financial rewards the trial can provide and staying true to his own beliefs.
Assessment:
Plot: The underlying plot here is an interesting one, especially the mystery behind Jack's illness and the moral quandary Joel faces at his new job. The novel has the potential to be even more engaging if the storyline progressed more rapidly and if unresolved conflicts were given closure.
Prose: The prose is clear and engaging. Readers are exclusively in Joel's head, however; the interiority of the other characters is somewhat lacking.
Originality: The narrative features a novel storyline. Many of the novel's strongest chapters are those in which Joel is performing his psychological detective work. Initially withholding more details relating to the clinical trial may help maintain tension and excitement.
Character/Execution: Since the narrative is told through Joel's perspective, readers will primarily come to know only his character in-depth (perhaps with Trotsky, a delightful character, coming in second). Readers may become frustrated with Joel as he wrestles with life decisions and his moral compass. There are some other characters and storylines that have the potential to add depth and break up the monotony of Joel's interior dilemmas.
Date Submitted: August 08, 2022
