The Morels
*Starred Review* In Hacker’s engaging debut, eccentric author Arthur Morel writes a novel that pushes the envelope of art-for-art’s-sake beyond anyone’s capacity to understand, much less forgive. Portrayed via the indulgent eye of someone who may be Arthur’s best friend, he seems like a paragon of artistic genius. But had this been written from his family’s point of view, Art would appear nothing short of certifiable, maybe even indictable. That’s how far Art’s art stretches the bounds of acceptability, even morality. While Hacker’s cleverly crafted characters grapple with the fallout after Art’s book hits the stands—has Art actually experienced the actions depicted in his novel?—larger questions loom. Should art be constrained by social mores, or does great art rise above them? Can literature be judged on the same plane as, say, a painting or a play? How much of the artist’s soul is exposed in his/her work? Can Arthur be given a pass just because he’s the son of totally loopy parents, who raised him in an environment of moral nihilism thinly disguised as artistic privilege? Whether a reader is intrigued by the philosophical questions or not, this family’s plight makes for a marvelous read. --Donna Chavez