VIGIL HARBOR

An insular Massachusetts coastal town finds the world’s woes at its doorstep.

Judging by references scattered through the opening chapters with Glass’ usual deftness, the time is about 10 years after the pandemic first hit. Climate change has become more devastating, political polarization is worse than ever, and terrorist attacks have multiplied. As the story progresses via no less than eight narrators, each sharply individualized, we are reminded that eventually the bizarre becomes normal. A monster storm three years ago blew down multiple buildings and docks in Vigil Harbor, but a local tycoon wants to build his post-divorce mansion on the cliffside anyway. His is one of a rash of marital splits that are the talk of the town, but no one bats an eyelash when a new couple formed from the remains of two divorces runs off to a survivalist commune—“one of those psycho wilderness camps,” as college dropout Brecht puts it. He’s a member of “Generation NL (out loud: nil),” young adults with no expectations of a livable future. Brecht was at NYU “the year of the Union Square attack,” having lost his father when he was 8 to the first coronavirus wave. He returns to Vigil Harbor and goes to work for Celestino, the foreign-born landscaper who works on Brecht’s stepfather Austin’s fancy architecture projects. Even though he’s married to a U.S. citizen, Celestino is in danger; immigrants are now totally barred, “visa raids” ongoing. There’s lots more plot to come. The alleged journalist in town doing a profile of Austin is in fact pursuing him to avenge the mysterious woman they both loved and lost. An “old friend” turns up looking for Celestino, who is emphatically not happy to see him. We slowly learn there’s more to Brecht’s inertia than was apparent at first. The two big plot twists are more predictable than they should be, but Glass’ sharply drawn portraits of people coping as best they can with a world in crisis will convince most readers to go along happily for the ride.

Provocative themes, strong characterizations, and propulsive storytelling combine for another great read from Glass.