AN ENDURING MYSTERY
Mark Frost and The Secret History Of Twin Peaks
An unusual book from an underrated writer
One of the most memorable lines from the original run of Twin Peaks comes in episode 6 of season 1 when Agent Cooper tells Sheriff Truman: “Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen.”
In the context of the episode, Agent Cooper is — of course — referring to some damn fine coffee. But the gift that keeps on giving for me is a book that I have received last Christmas and that I have returned to every day since — Mark Frost’s “Secret History of Twin Peaks”, a 2016 novel written in a style and format somewhere between Dracula, Found Footage horror movies and House of Leaves.
The book is, in one sense, the attempt to deepen and expand our understanding of the characters of Twin Peaks and the way they fit into larger historical events. But really there is so much more to it that that.
Framed as the story of an FBI agent who investigates a dossier filled with found documents, we’re treated to multiple layers of narrative; beautifully designed letters, newspaper clippings, and book excerpts; and the seamless integration of the characters into historical events that blurs the distinction between fiction and reality.
As a fan of David Lynch for almost two decades, I’m uncofortable to admit that I have spent large portions of my life undervaluing the brilliance of Mark Frost. He is always referred to as the “co-creator” of Twin Peaks, but I’m afraid this is often taken to mean “the other guy besides Lynch”.
“The Secret History Of Twin Peaks” is, in my mind, not just an essential piece of Twin Peaks lore for all fans of the show; it’s a dazzling display of creativity and originality that I highly recommend to anybody fascinated by unusual approaches to books.
