| Synopsis: |
Andy Brown's first novel follows a sibling relationship told through vignettes, each story centred around the removal of a mole. From this premise, Brown's novel expands the associations of moles from skin disease, to the burrowing animal, to secret societies and espionage, to tell the story of familial dysfunction, culture-jamming, eco-terrorism, and regret in the lives of young adults in the 1990s. Moving from the urban decay of Montreal to the beaches of Vancouver and back, and reflecting on diverse cultural and historical phenomena -- BMX racing, The Fantastic Four, bush parties, lifeguard obsessions, and the Montreal Ice Storm -- 'The Mole Chronicles' is an engaging and innovative debut novel. |