Leif Enger’s novel, I Cheerfully Refuse, opens with a stark awareness of its climax: Here at the beginning it must be said the end was on everyone’s mind.
This poetic foreboding sets the tone for an emotionally charged journey, offering glimpses of hope amidst the despair of a crumbling civilization. Enger’s fourth novel stands out for its deep reflections and the compelling narrative led by its protagonists, Rainy and Lark.
The Protagonists’ World
Set in a near-future where civilization teeters on the brink, Rainy and his wife, Lark, navigate a precarious yet relatively peaceful existence in a tight-knit community by Lake Superior. Their routine is disrupted when Lark returns with an unpublished manuscript of her favorite poet, along with Kellan, a fugitive who soon becomes an essential but mysterious presence in their lives. The calm is shattered as Kellan vanishes, leaving a wave of violence and suspicion in his wake.
Rainy’s Odyssey
Following Lark’s tragic fate, Rainy’s world collapses. Consumed by anger and grief, Rainy embarks on a perilous journey aboard a dilapidated sailboat on Lake Superior, guided only by Lark’s treasured manuscript and his fear. His voyage mirrors that of an Odyssean hero, meeting not mythical creatures but finding fractured societies and eerie discoveries. This segment of the novel serves as a poignant exploration of human resilience amid chaos.
A Fascinating Blend of Dystopia and Fabulism
The dystopian backdrop of I Cheerfully Refuse paints a grim picture underscored by book burnings and anti-intellectualism, juxtaposed against a fable-like quest involving ancient texts and enigmatic figures such as a bridge troll. Enger’s masterful weaving of these elements elevates the emotional weight of violence and sorrow portrayed, making it a narrative that resonates profoundly with readers.
Conclusion
The closing observation by Rainy captures the essence of the novel’s dualities: I think the sea has no in-between: you get either rage and wayward lightning…or such freehanded beauty that time contracts.
Through these polarities, Enger’s storytelling finds coherence, much like the temporary calm following a storm, leaving readers with a haunting yet beautiful experience. I Cheerfully Refuse is a testament to finding wonder and hope in simple moments despite an unforgiving world.
