The Soul Thief

by: Charles Baxter

Published by: Vintage Books

Reviewed By Michele E. Davis

Thrown into 1970’s Buffalo, New York, Nathaniel, a young graduate student, runs into Theresa as they head to a party they can’t seem to find. Theresa is excited to see if “Coolberg” is at the party. After a sojourn in the rain, they end up at the party and ask around for this guy Jennifer wants to see, because she’s infatuated with Coolberg.

Nathaniel is told to stay away from Coolberg, that he’s dangerous, and one shouldn’t get involved with him. Rimjsky states about Coolberg, “He’s in some kind of Artaudian condition where all the ideas are unoriginated and unsourced; that’s how he can claim anybody else’s ideas as his own. He inhabits a dense spiritual vacuum.” However, since Theresa is enamored of Coolberg and his spouting of nonsense information that can never be validated, Nathaniel can’t keep away from their conversation. Nathaniel desires Jennifer so he sits in awe of Coolberg.

But things start unraveling quickly because Coolberg’s real goal is to take over Nathaniel’s life. He wants to acquire Nathaniel’s memories, the death of his father, the muteness of his sister, his remarried mother, his graduate school status, and even his clothes, which have already been stolen from Nathaniel’s apartment.

Gay Jamie is the next girl Nathaniel falls for and he thinks that Coolberg and Theresa are out to get her. He proclaims his love for her, but it seems to be mostly desperation. After coming back to his flat from Jamie’s he sees more of his items are missing: his M. C. Escher print, a note pad, even his telephone.

After all this epic drama, the story catapults forward in Nathaniel life. He has survived his breakdown, which is due mostly to his sister regaining her voice and then reading to him when he is comatose. Nathaniel is now an adult, has married, has two boys, and, ironically, runs into Coolberg, his soul thief. The changes in these two men’s personalities and lives bring the story to a close. This ending is a bit dull compared to the first half of the book, which was intriguing and fast paced. Initially filled with suspense and then resolved, it is an intriguing read.

Armchair Interviews says: Another very well-written book by this very prolific Midwestern author Charles Baxter who has written novels, novellas, essays and books of poetry.

Author’s Web site: http://www.CharlesBaxter.com