The Thanatos Syndrome: A Novel [Paperback]

Psychiatrist Tom More of Love in the Ruins reappears in one of the most accessible of Percy's novels. The author has not abandoned his serious inquiry into the nature of good and evil, but he has integrated his philosophizing into a fast-paced narrative with the suspense of a thriller. When Moreon parole from federal prison where he did time for selling drugsreturns to his Louisiana hometown, he immediately notices bizarre personality changes in many people, including his wife Ellen. All exhibit suppressed cortical function, manifested in strange speech patterns and sexual behavior. With the help of his cousin, epidemiologist Lucy Lipscomb, More discovers the source of this syndrome: the town's drinking water has been laced with heavy sodium from the area's nuclear facility. Leading citizens of the community are involved, all in the name of benevolent eugenics and social concern. Parallels to the workof Nazi doctors are made obvious to More by a disgraced parish priest. Tension grows as the conspirators threaten to send More back to jail if he exposes them. As usual, Percy's ear for languageespecially the layers of meaning in even the most casual conversationis superb. This book is as timely as its concerns with child abuse and ultraconservative zealotry, and as classic as its exploration of the eternal verities. 75,000 first printing; BOMC dual main selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

When psychiatrist Tom More returns home to Feliciana, Louisiana, after doing time at a minimal security prison, he is dismayed by the bizarre behavior he encountersthe "curious flatness of tone," the loss of sexual inhibition, of complex speech, even of context in conversation. More is further dismayed to discover that fellow psychiatrist Bob Comeaux is masterminding an unauthorized scheme to eradicate social ills by manipulating cortical functions through surreptitious doses of heavy sodium. And the suspense is only beginning, for More wants to investigate signs of sexual abuse at his children's school. The loss of human response smacks of a grade-B horror filmMore himself speaks of "bodysnatchers"and the moral implications of social engineering, though given the most contemporary interpretation here, have already been considered. But in crisp, masterful prose Percy delivers a relentlessly compelling tale. BOMC dual main selection. Barbara Hoffert, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"What a pleasure it is to read a real novel.... THE THANATOS SYNDROME has the ambition and purposefulness to take on the world, to wrestle with its shortcomings, and to celebrate its glories." -Washington Post Book World

"He is a dazzlingly gifted novelist.... Percy stages a lively medical mystery...that no serious reader will want to miss." -USA Today

"There is ample evidence of Percy's brilliance in THE THANATOS SYNDROME - the droll Dixie anthropology, the pitch-perfect dialogue, the sheer intelligence everywhere on the page.... It is splendidly, uproariously catholic, as well." --Douglas Bauer, Atlantic Monthly

"Shimmers with intelligence and verve...THE THANATOS SYNDROME is highbrow hilarity all the more discerning for distinguishing its tears behind lots of laughs." --Newsday

"What a pleasure it is to read a real novel ... The Thanatos Syndrome has the ambition and purposefulness to take on the world, to wrestle with its shortcomings, and to celebrate its glories."

-- The Washington Post Book World

"Spins along at a brisk thriller pace, laced with escapes and chase scenes and risky, ingenious detective work."

-- The New York Times Book Review

"He is a dazzlingly gifted novelist...Percy stages a lively medical mystery...that no serious reader will want to miss."

-- USA Today

"The Thanatos Syndrome resembles a crime novel but is more precisely a sparkling comedy and an intriguing philosophical novel...This is vintage Walker Percy, a writer for all seasons."

-- Newsday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.