Providence

Mark Lausson is a thirtysomething professor at a prestigious Ohio liberal arts college. He teaches English literature, hangs with his lesbian best friend, and works on his book about gay serial killers. He is coasting through life with little passion until he meets the somewhat vapid but undeniably hot sophomore Tyler Cunningham. Tyler has little to recommend him other than his youth and his enthusiastic attitude toward sex with Mark. The two begin an unwise affair that could get Mark fired. Tyler treats Mark with casual affection, spending much time with his straight roommate and best friend Addison. As Mark becomes increasingly obsessed with Tyler, things take an unexpected turn, and Mark’s life is shattered. Marcus Zarco narrates with a perfectly bewildered tone, capturing Mark’s rootlessness and ennui. Though the book grows somewhat muddled and ends on a frustratingly sudden note, Zarco capably portrays Mark’s obsession with the seemingly vacuous Tyler and does his best to support the improbable plot twists.