Patrick deWitt’s latest novel, "Dodge City," offers a distinctive blend of dark humor and vivid character exploration set against the backdrop of 1967 America. The narrative follows Lee Clarke, a young man who finds himself on the brink of being drafted after an altercation with a well-connected college peer. Rather than face conscription, Lee plans to escape to Canada, acquiring a new Jaguar from a car transport company with instructions to drive it from Los Angeles to New Jersey.

As Lee embarks on his eastward journey, he aims to resolve unfinished business by visiting family members scattered across the country. His route takes him from his father, who lives in a van filled with stray dogs in Concrete, Washington, to his mother in Montana, who left the family when Lee was a teenager. He also encounters his estranged brother Harry in Minnesota, with whom reconciliation remains uncertain, and his sister Grace in New York—a psychiatric nurse entangled in complicated relationships with both a doctor and a patient.

Each family encounter reveals layers of Lee’s character and history, weaving a narrative that balances somber themes with deWitt’s signature sharp dialogue and comic sensibility. Despite the often bleak circumstances of the characters, the story maintains a focus on the human impulse to keep moving forward in life, regardless of how unconventional or troubled that path may be.

Throughout Lee’s travels, he attempts to maintain contact with Cal, his enigmatic girlfriend, whose intermittent absences and elusive presence add emotional complexity to his journey. Their relationship, marked by Lee’s reluctant admission of affection, underscores the novel’s exploration of connection and estrangement.

"Dodge City" continues Patrick deWitt’s reputation for crafting stories that center on idiosyncratic characters brought to life through a mix of humor and insight. The novel’s setting and plot differ markedly from his previous works, yet the underlying tone remains consistent—a wry examination of human nature and the peculiarities of those on the margins.

At 51, deWitt remains an evolving voice in contemporary fiction, blending varied genres and tones in ways that invite readers into unexpected and compelling worlds. "Dodge City" stands as both a standalone story and a continuation of his distinctive literary style marked by a nuanced portrayal of flawed, often lovable, individuals navigating the complexities of life.