In the Country of the Blind

Copy of my Goodreads review, TL;DR at the end starting at "Overall".

A whole-book pun: a blind man unable to see what he's doing wrong

A Vermont-based author going blind writing about a Vermont-based man going blind, should we even pretend like this isn't Hoagland's meditation on life and the current state of it? Because this, while an okay novel, felt much more interesting as a look into Edward's mind.
The main character, Press, came off as foolish, intentionally or not (I chose to believe that it was intentional, as this paints a much more intricate portrait). Nearly every single decision he makes is ill-conceived, his pining for a mooching hippie is aimless and pitiful, and his indecisiveness is... oddly human.
Setting the novel in a cabin in wild wild Vermont was a brilliant move on Hoagland's part, giving him tons of beautiful nature to write about. Those descriptions of nature, of the remote town's way of life, and its people are the first best part of the novel, showcasing the prose in full, breathing conifer and mountain air.
The other best part demands some effort from the reader though: one must tear away from the world of the book and juxtapose it against real life, against Edward. If Press is meant to be a positive character, well, this works as a look into Hoagland's dreams of 60's, filthy yet romantic, alien to the young ones but so close to the author's heart. A story for himself, because he doesn't really have to prove much after 25 novels and countless years of work.
If, however, Press is, indeed, a fool, a man of many mistakes, then this operates as Hoagland's dismantling of his own character. Cursing his ailment, hesitation, decisions, and unruly emotions. And, perhaps, showing that he has many doubts about his life and its varied aspects. Which is endlessly relatable for many and is the main reason why I choose to view this book via the second option.
As the novel was not afraid to say bad things at the end, I have to show why I did not think higher of this admittedly interesting work: the dialogue felt just a bit too stilted, for one. Hoagland writes beautifully, but does not switch his style for the conversations between characters, so everybody speaks similarly, in a style that doesn't always feel believable. The plot was less engaging to follow than I hoped it would be. To me it was just a machine to carry Press from one reflective thought to another mistake to yet another rake to step on. And, as I expected, Hoagland is in no rush, as events pass by slowly, never rushing to drum up some artificial excitement. But it's hard to really fault him for that, the man knows his pace and what he likes. Why would he cater to the fashion of the modern times when he can point to decades of experience as proof of his talent?

Overall, a beautifully descriptive, awkwardly emotional, deeply personal affair. If you love nature, dream of the 60's and rural life, while being sane about their downsides, then you should enjoy this just fine. It wasn't entirely my thing, but if Hoagland decides to call it quits here, nobody should be able to say that he didn't go out on a high note.

In the Country of the Blind tells the story of Press, a man who has lost a lot. He lost his sight to a degenerative disease, and his losses accumulated, his job, then his wife and children as she tossed him out, fearful of care taking. Fortunately, his Vermont neighbors are friendly and oriented toward care taking. He has two sets of neighbors whom he visits, who feed him, take him to church, and welcome him into their hearts.

Even better, on a walk in the woods, he meets Carol. She lives at a nearby commune with her children. The kids enjoy his company and he feels a bittersweet fondness; his pleasure in their company reminding him of his children whom he misses. A visit home helps him realize that his kids love him and that he can’t lose them that easily.

I enjoyed the conversations among the characters. They have that unfinished and random quality of real life, conversations that happen without advancing a plot point. I loved the characters, their authenticity and complexity. Press was the main character and his infatuated relationship with Carol made her the second most important character. Frankly, they were less interesting than Melba, and several of the other minor characters. With Press and Carol, it was hard to tell who they really felt about each other and how much of their relationship was convenience. Press seemed the kind of guy who wanted a relationship with someone, anyone, without regard to which woman.

I am ambivalent about In the Country of the Blind. The idea that a 47 year old man who loses his sight thinks that is it, considers assisted living seems strange in today’s world. Blind people are not incapacitated. How is that someone as well off as Press has not had therapists teach him how to cope. He’s knocking food all over himself, for pity’s sake. I have known several blind people and that is so not typical. From that fundamental flaw, everything feels wrong.

The writing is beautiful, engaging and flows with this headlong pace that carries the reader forward without a break. It’s compulsive, but in the end, it is difficult to understand why Hoagland spent so much good writing on such a little story. There’s not much meat here, just interesting people having conversations and puttering around. Is there a resolution, does Press change over the course of the story? I wanted something more.

In the Country of the Blind will be released November 1st. I was given an e-galley by the publisher through NetGalley.