All Shall Be Well; and All Shall Be Well; And All Manner of Things Shall Be Well

by: Tod Wodicka

Published by: Vintage Contemporaries

Reviewed by Laura Cococcia

Wodicka’s debut novel exceeds expectations – not only does it undertake the intricacies of character development, it places the protagonist in the most imaginative and remarkable plots. The novel’s main character is 66-year-old Burt, whose quirky qualities evoke both sadness and laughter throughout his trials.

The plot unfolds in two lines: a present-day narrative, and flashbacks to varying points of Burt’s life, namely, how he met his late wife, her death, his disengagement from his life at the family’s Victorian bed and breakfast, and his subsequent estrangement from his two children. A parallel plot explores Burt’s founding of the ”˜Confraternity of Times Lost Regained’ a few years prior to his wife’s death, which permitted him to live out his medieval fantasies with like-minded people. For example, he doesn’t drive, eat foods or use products that did not exist 700 years ago.

When Burt becomes a widower he appears seemingly disengaged from reality while being judged by his eccentricity. As the novel proceeds, and moves between the past and present, you begin to relate to and see the depth of Burt’s pain and defeat. However, he can’t quite remember it all since he is living in the fantasy past of the 13th century. Ultimately, Burt’s goal is to reunite with his children, using his version of the past to fix the present.

Wodicka has written the story of Burt’s rebirth as a person, a father, and a grieving spouse. Ultimately, it paints a picture of a personal voyage of self-discovery, which the reader can relate to at even the most baseline level, despite Wodicka’s comical and often abstract storylines.

The narrative is tightly but heavily written. Well-rounded, yet witty, Wodicka keeps you engaged and alert to Burt’s next challenge. As a result, you are constantly rooting for Burt’s success in overcoming his struggles. Even the minor characters take unexpected turns and demonstrate their own realness and complexity.

Wodicka never promises “all shall be well” for any of them, but succeeds in showing us the rewards of life’s circumstances.

Armchair Interviews agrees.