Tag: Patrick de Witt

Although this story unfolds in Portland, there is little sense of place. Instead, this is an account of people and their often-complicated relationships. In 2005, Bob is a 71-year-old retired librarian. A chance encounter with an elderly confused woman leads him to volunteer at a Senior’s Centre, where the residents are “challenged by subdued disappointment”. Bob’s backstory over 60 years is presented with humour and pathos, an ordinary life of an introvert. De Witt’s writing is brilliant – highly recommended.