The Unnamed
Posted: January 10, 2012 Filed under: Book of Sand 4 Commentsby Joshua Ferris | 320 pages, published 2010
The main character in The Unnamed, Tim Someone, is on his third relapse of a strange compulsion: he walks. He walks until he collapses from exhaustion. He walks out of meetings, out of buildings, across towns, in the dead of winter. Despite seeing numerous doctors, having tests of every sort done, visiting psychiatrists, no one can explain what it is or why it happens. The compulsion is “the unnamed,” of course.
It’s an interesting premise, and it was carried out nicely. I liked how Ferris depicted Tim’s gradual descent into madness (sorry, spoiler) and how the compulsion takes over so completely. There was a little too much swearing for me, and I felt like several potentially interesting storylines were brought up but not adequately addressed.
Big spoiler: you never find out what the unnamed really is. I suppose that’s fair, but as Americans don’t we desperately need closure? Even (especially) in our entertainment?
Also, I’m pretty sure that one of my ancestors actually did walk compulsively. I vaguely recall hearing stories like that. Anyone want to confirm or deny?
Jarom
Mika
hilleries 
Samuel Lewis. Supposedly a result of miles and miles walked as a kid with the Mormon Battalion. As an adult, he’d just take off on walks without telling anyone and without any destination.
Yes! Exactly. I briefly entertained the idea that the author of this book had heard about Samuel Lewis…unlikely though eh?
Huh! I did not know that before!
True story! I remember Dad telling me about it a very long time ago. I was glad to find out I didn’t imagine the whole thing.