The Missing Shade of Blue: a philosophical adventure

Jennie Erdal's gloomily titled work offers an intriguing traipse through a set of troubled lives.

The Missing Shade of Blue Jennie Erdal Little, Brown Dh47

"Hilarious" and "entertaining" were terms used to describe Ghosting, Jennie Erdal's first novel. These are colourful terms for a well-received debut, which stand in sharp contrast to her new work, the gloomily-titled Missing Shade of Blue. Still, taking note of its description as "a philosophical adventure" might awaken expectations of an intriguing traipse through a set of troubled lives.

Erdal does not disappoint in this regard and those lives include the jaded philosopher Harry Sanderson and his artist wife, Carrie, as observed by Edgar Logan, a French translator. Sanderson mostly languishes in a self-created pit of alcohol, tobacco and illicit affairs that help to soothe the sores (both metaphysical and otherwise) that appear to have arrived with his career choice. Throughout it all, Logan is an unwilling witness to the philosopher's slow unravel.

There's never a dull moment here, particularly if one is the type to enjoy the steady rip of relationships being torn apart at the seams, though the ever-present listlessness of the narration may induce the same in the reader.