Pan

A highly intelligent yet unusual teenager experiences his initial panic attacks, leading him into a whirlwind journey in this renowned debut. Praised by the Guardian as "a stunning debut" and described by the Observer as "stylish and unsettling," this work is a "true original," according to Paul Murray. It is lauded as "brilliant" and "mind-bending" by Lauren Groff for its psychological depth and excitement. At just fifteen, Nicholas navigates a world full of challenges: he is the product of divorced parents, residing with his largely absent father in the dreary suburbs of Chicago, and he struggles to fit in at school. An unexpected episode leaves him gasping for breath, and while a doctor diagnoses it as a panic attack, Nicholas suspects a more mystical cause: the Greek god Pan might be residing within him. As his grasp on reality begins to unravel, Nicholas, with the help of his friends, searches for clarity through art, music, and literature, pushing the boundaries of their ordinary lives. With its unexpected twists and dark humor, "Pan" delves into the mysterious forces that shape our inner experiences. Recognized by The Washington Post, TIME, and Slate as a Book of the Year, it captivates with its exploration of the human psyche.