The Identity Club?!?!

A novel built around a group involved with "reconstituted personalities?"
OMG, as the youth oft exclaim. I (whoever that might be) cannot believe this.

Thanks Ed, I mean, Michael!

'Bourne' Again

So, before I get too far along into the continuing saga of Sir Spelvin-Hinchley-Sevrin-Taynor-Steenhammer-Kirby-Symonds-Judd-Henan-Brister-Dryden-Reynolds-Thane (am I forgetting any?), I wanted to comment on the absolutely out-of-control (in a good way) nature of TMMI. Now, I won't pretend to have followed all that happened (or didn't happened, or might have happened, or...), as that's just simply not possible --- at least not after one reading. And isn't Keeler's point (at least on some level) that we don't "get it?" Isn't the confounding unfollow-ability of it all half the fun (or fury, depending on your state of mind and tolerance of such strangulating serpentine constructions)? Quite often I felt (and feel) as if I have wandered deep into the forest only to have my compass shatter as I arrive into the deepest set regions. But here, unlike, say, Marceau (which, I made quite clear, frustrated me to no end --- to the point

where I felt "defeated"), there is a propulsiveness that compels one to keep moving, keep looking, as there's some hope that if we (I) do we'll find a few crumbs upon the ground or a lamp shimmering in the distance that just might lead us out (but into what?). And this is what Keeler does (mystifyingly) well: he keeps us held in his preposterous palm, even when some part (the rational?) knows that what is transpiring is absolutely ridiculous, overwrought, and downright inexplicable.

Again, some of Keeler's standard fixations rise to the fore: an obsession not just with "Orientalism," but with a strange kind of 'globalism.' I was struck by the level of nationalities (regardless of how inaccurate or borderline/blatantly insulting they might be) he brings into the mix of TMMI It is the "melting pot" bubbling up and boiling over into the wide and windy city streets of that London of the West, Chicago. This also seems to connect with his intense fixation with multiplicity (esp. regarding identity), as one never knows exactly who one is. For instance, our protagonist (mentioned with ample hyphenation above). In this way Keeler (intentionally or not) seems to be grappling with the slipperiness of identity --- the notion that the self is not a fixed, concrete thing. That it is as slippery and 'un-pin-downable' as the "case" at hand.

It reminds me of something that Sam Shephard once said about Bob Dylan:

"If a mystery is solved, the case is dropped. In this case, in the case of Dylan, the mystery is never solved, so the case keeps on. It keeps coming up again. Over and over the years. Who is this character anyway?"

File Under: Peculiar Textual Connection: On page 106 (of the Ramble House omnibus edition) I was struck by how the letter that "Dryden" writes to Guey Ming (see excerpt below) echoes Robert Ludlum's latter day amnesic spy (and his more famous cinematic equivalent), Jason Bourne, and his mission to reclaim his misplaced identity.

"Now, Ming, for God's sake, tell me for a certainty who I am. I have a suspicion now, all right; but you alone, Ming know. Tell me quick, man. These many years of amnesia haven't been a happy thing. Please Ming, please -- I beg of you to cable me back the few words that will put my mind to rest."

However, no sooner than we can utter "Aha," Keeler (over the closing pages and early passages of the follow-up) finds other ways to further complicate and upend the protagonist's (and our) search to discover who he truly is and what this is all really about.

Back into the breach.

The Players

The Mysterious Mr. I

The Lineup:

George Spelvin/Oliver Hinchley/Ronal Sevrin/Arthut Taynor/Wheatley Judd/Lloyd Henan/Charlie Brister/Harry Steenhammer/Phil Kirby/Peter Symonds/Jack Ernst/Harland Dryden/Ed Reynolds: The Narrator/Numismatist/Optometrist/San Quentin Escapee...

MacLeish MacPherson M.D.: Just That (for now)

The Brothers Dove: MacPherson's Across the Hall Neighbors/Dentists

Gildrick Sandringham: Deceased Escaped Millionaire Lunatic

Abner Goffman: Chairman of the Board of Trustess of the Sandringhma Estate

Rufus Sandringham: The Elder, Now-Deceased Sandringham

Howard Hendley: President of the First National Bank

The Six Trustees: Henry L. Oland, Daniel C. Rying, Oscar J. Anderson, L. Verrill Meyrenfield and John Ellington Smith

Sol Greenbaum: The Foxiest Old jew Who Ever Sold Second-Hand Medical Goods & Supplier of "The Skull"

Mr. Barney: One of Dr. MacPherson's Small Hour Patients

The Lone Red-Headed Clerk

The Tiny Old Chinese Woman

Miss Taynor: Okimo's Sleepy Receptionist

Sato Okimo: The Lawyer in Room 310, Bush Bourse (All-Nations Corner!)

Bill Howard: The 8 to 4 O'Clock Day Man of the All-Night-Chain Cigar Store

Mr. X: ?!?!?

George Shultz: Former Employer of Arthur Taynor

Alfred Bentley (aka: Five o'Clock Bentley): President of the Upper North Michigan Avenue Bank/Alleged Keeper of the "Judgment Note"

Dr. Gregg Purvis: The Famous Alienist

Patrick Groogan: The Plumber Dispatched to Birkdale Asylum Who Unwittingly Supplied Sandringham With the Hacksaw Necessary For Escape

Gustav Shrik: President of the Logan Square Bank

Nat Lish/Job Husley: An Old San Quentin Lifer

Rev. Ira Lish: Job's Departed Brother

Vera Paisley/Monda MacPherson: Doc MacPherson's Sister

Sheriff Gaines

Dan Jafferson

Sam Jafferson

T. Parker Yocum: The Jafferson's Cousin

Trell Parker

Rev. Eustace Gershley

Ensign Wynne Middley

Louis Steenhammer

Effie Hampton

Margaret Trumbull

Caspar Lucas: Author of Criminal Identification Through Stigmata in Wounds and Traumae

Guey Ming

Cowperized!

Just a quick note to let all of our prior readers of The Snarl Ledger (who might have become concerned by the resigned and displeased tenor of earlier postings), letting you know that we have nearly completed The Mysterious Mr. I, and, frankly, we wish it would not end. However, there is I, Chameleon to look forward to (a continuation of sorts, no?). Mr. I's global, yet intersection-set (all connected, all interwoven) gumbo of nyms (both pseudo and non), (back)stories told and untold, is a straight-up hoot (yes, a hoot!). We can't wait to see how this things ends...or will it?

Tunnel Vision

13 September, 1936; One Gilrick Sandringham tunnels his way out of Birkdale Insane Asylum --- and, in turn, this world? (Chicago, Illinois).

13 September, 1974 (4:27 pm): One Kyle D. Rafferty tunnels his way into this world at Bellevue Hospital (Niskayuna, New York)

Document XXX

So, as a result of my struggles with Marceau's form (is that it --- simply an issue of "form?"), I have decided to place it by the bedside (for now), leap forward in the Keeler-onology, and crack the spine of The Mysterious Mr. I. Rest assured, I have not completely thrown in the towel regarding the case of Marceau, but rather, I am moving forward in preparation for a later "look back."

In the meantime, as I venture forth, please feel free to respond to my earlier plea.

No comment too minor, no suggestion too small.

Mayday! Mayday!

Okay, I surrender!

I want to like this mystery (I really, really do), but I just can't seem to find the thread(s?), a way in. No matter how much I chip away (and I'm nearly finished) at old Marceau I just can't "hold on" to it. It all seems so...so....so turgid. What am I not getting? I don't want to admit that I am having an allergic reaction to this writer that I find so fascinating. But, the object itself is proving to be a rather obstinate creation.

Can anyone out there lend a hand to a poor, confused, but generous soul, who wants nothing more than to fall completely into Keeler's web? I'm on a slight "break" next week and hope to dedicate some time to further decoding, but I sure could use some guidance. It's a jungle in there. So,what should I be looking for? What am I missing? Is there something wrong with me?

Then again, perhaps this frustration is all part of HSK's plan --- his way of shedding dead weight, of throwing the unworthy off the trail (his trail). But I will not give up, I will not surrender (I thought I just said I was?)!

In closing, this novice/wannabe Keelerite welcomes (and appreciates) all comments and suggestions from you more seasoned/wizened scholars. Won't you please help?

Humbly (and enervatedly),

KDR