Book Review: The Parade by Dave Eggers
By Nola Kane ’19
Popular author Dave Eggers has decided to take a break from his longer novels with his latest release of a novella titled The Parade, a modern parable that takes place in an unnamed country following an extended period of peace after a slew of wars.
The story focuses on two men assigned to pave a government road: the work-focused, type A Four and the rebellious, less experienced Nine. Their job advises them not to use their actual names, and numerical nicknames are especially encouraged, creating a detached feeling between us and them. This feeling is one of the first signs of dystopia in the text.
Inevitably, these two personalities clash. Four has had over 50 assignments with the company. This is Nine’s first assignment. Four’s only luxury is the earphones he plugs in as he goes to sleep at night. Nine seeks any luxury at his disposal, including prostitutes, motorbiking, and diner food. Four works vigilantly on the road, while Nine goes out to indulge his hedonistic pleasures, eager to enjoy anything that is against protocol. Occasionally Nine comes back and tells Four stories about his excursions, much to Four’s annoyance and (much to his chagrin) fascination. He wants to choke Nine but at the same time wants to hear more.
What at first seems like a simple fable with mild militaristic undertones about an odd couple turns into a morality play as the story progresses. As Four paves his way further down the road, he encounters obstacles such as a boy who won’t move out of the way of Four’s oncoming vehicle and a woman in distress. Every time, he has to make fast decisions between impeding the road’s progress or helping people in need. Soon, this dilemma comes to threaten the ultimate outcome of the job, as Nine’s fast lifestyle catches up with him, and Four has to decide between trying to save his partner or leaving him to fend for himself.
I didn’t expect to become so attached to the story due to my general dislike for fairytale-type narratives. When they work they can be some of the most charming stories written, but they usually come off as the author divulging great secrets of the universe to us when his truth actually might not apply to everyone. The Parade worked especially due to the frequent turns in the plot and the two compelling main characters.
The novel’s short length and not over-complicated style makes for a light but not quite easy read. People who enjoy stories that make them question various worldviews and people who enjoy classic dystopian fiction such as Nineteen Eighty-Four and Lord of the Flies will also enjoy this story. Without giving anything away, the ending hits you out of nowhere, bringing the dystopian undertones to the surface, making you see the story in an entirely different light.
