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A review by alookinsideri
Deep Fried by Mark Doyon
5.0
Mark Doyon's Deep Fried opens with a deceptively mundane scene that sets a profound tone for the novel’s exploration of the mundane, absurd, and existential. The opening image of a penny baking in the asphalt—passed over, unnoticed, and forgotten—mirrors the deeper themes of the novel, reflecting the human tendency to overlook life's small moments, as well as the disillusionment that comes with being both seen and unseen. The penny’s inanimate musings on its fate serve as a brilliant metaphor for the novel’s exploration of individual significance and purpose, a question the protagonist, Arjun Chatterjee, grapples with throughout the book.
At the heart of Deep Fried is Arjun, an Indian American food-truck chef who faces the complexities of identity, desire, and ambition as he serves up eclectic dishes to an eclectic clientele. The novel intertwines Arjun’s narrative with that of Candy Carney, an office worker who, like the penny in the opening scene, feels overlooked and trapped in the mundane cycle of her life. Doyon’s witty yet introspective style brings these characters to life in a vividly textured world of food trucks, office cubicles, and parking lots that somehow become the backdrop for existential questioning.
Arjun is the emotional core of the novel, and Doyon develops him with nuance and depth. As an immigrant chasing the American dream, Arjun reflects on his past in India and his new life in America, balancing familial expectations with his personal desires. His character oscillates between optimism and frustration, making him relatable to readers who have ever questioned their purpose. His foil, Candy, is equally compelling. Her relationship with Bobby, a lovesick and invasive presence, is humorous yet touching, offering a reflection on love, obsession, and the search for meaning in mundane routines.
Doyon’s dialogue is sharp, often laced with humor and biting commentary, yet it carries an undercurrent of melancholy, especially when Arjun or Candy reflect on their lives. The plot builds slowly, almost episodically, but it is this slow-burn development that enriches the character dynamics and infuses the ordinary with philosophical musings. The encounter between Arjun and Bobby, Candy’s obsessive admirer, escalates into an absurd yet profound scene, hinting at the larger human condition—the balance between chaos and control.
As the novel progresses, Deep Fried juxtaposes the daily grind of making a living with loftier ambitions, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives. Arjun’s culinary creations become more than just food; they are symbols of his desire to blend his past with his future and offer the world something unique. This culinary metaphor enriches the story, offering a fresh take on the immigrant narrative, as Arjun’s journey is less about external conflict and more about internal reckoning.
Readers who enjoy witty, character-driven novels with philosophical undertones will find Deep Fried captivating. It speaks to anyone navigating their own purpose amid the often absurd and overlooked moments of life. Mark Doyon delivers a story that’s not just about food trucks and office politics but about the universal search for meaning and belonging.
At the heart of Deep Fried is Arjun, an Indian American food-truck chef who faces the complexities of identity, desire, and ambition as he serves up eclectic dishes to an eclectic clientele. The novel intertwines Arjun’s narrative with that of Candy Carney, an office worker who, like the penny in the opening scene, feels overlooked and trapped in the mundane cycle of her life. Doyon’s witty yet introspective style brings these characters to life in a vividly textured world of food trucks, office cubicles, and parking lots that somehow become the backdrop for existential questioning.
Arjun is the emotional core of the novel, and Doyon develops him with nuance and depth. As an immigrant chasing the American dream, Arjun reflects on his past in India and his new life in America, balancing familial expectations with his personal desires. His character oscillates between optimism and frustration, making him relatable to readers who have ever questioned their purpose. His foil, Candy, is equally compelling. Her relationship with Bobby, a lovesick and invasive presence, is humorous yet touching, offering a reflection on love, obsession, and the search for meaning in mundane routines.
Doyon’s dialogue is sharp, often laced with humor and biting commentary, yet it carries an undercurrent of melancholy, especially when Arjun or Candy reflect on their lives. The plot builds slowly, almost episodically, but it is this slow-burn development that enriches the character dynamics and infuses the ordinary with philosophical musings. The encounter between Arjun and Bobby, Candy’s obsessive admirer, escalates into an absurd yet profound scene, hinting at the larger human condition—the balance between chaos and control.
As the novel progresses, Deep Fried juxtaposes the daily grind of making a living with loftier ambitions, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives. Arjun’s culinary creations become more than just food; they are symbols of his desire to blend his past with his future and offer the world something unique. This culinary metaphor enriches the story, offering a fresh take on the immigrant narrative, as Arjun’s journey is less about external conflict and more about internal reckoning.
Readers who enjoy witty, character-driven novels with philosophical undertones will find Deep Fried captivating. It speaks to anyone navigating their own purpose amid the often absurd and overlooked moments of life. Mark Doyon delivers a story that’s not just about food trucks and office politics but about the universal search for meaning and belonging.