Canadian author Patrick deWitt’s latest novel, *Dodge City*, follows Lee Clarke, a young man narrowly excluded from university after a single act of violence and subsequently faced with conscription into the U.S. military during the Vietnam War era. The narrative unfolds as Lee, disillusioned with the prospect of fighting in what he calls a “lunatic reality,” opts to evade the draft by fleeing to Canada. To finance his escape, he agrees to drive a car across America for a vehicle delivery company, transforming the task into a reflective road trip.

Set in the 1960s, the novel diverges from traditional road trip or war stories by focusing less on action and more on the introspective conversations among characters. Lee’s journey includes stops to reconnect with estranged family members: his solitary, struggling father in Concrete; his mother, who left the family during his childhood and now lives in Montana; and his twin sister Grace, a nurse in New York with a complicated love life. These encounters deepen the novel’s exploration of family dynamics and personal struggle.

DeWitt, known for his Booker-shortlisted *The Sisters Brothers* (2011), brings his signature offbeat humor and sharp dialogue to the story. Rather than tightly pared-down prose, the novel features characters engaging in elaborate discussions on topics such as war, patriotism, personal obligation, and cultural phenomena like graffiti and automotive engineering. One memorable scene involves a conversation with a driving company clerk who questions the existential motivations behind Lee’s journey, parodying the idea of a “quest” and cautioning against unnecessary detours.

The narrative tone is marked by a conversational style that blends wit, aphorism, and occasional philosophical reflection. Characters offer observations ranging from the comfort found in cynicism to the quiet despair of mundane marriage, adding emotional depth to the story’s meditative pace. Grace’s account of a patient’s enamored advances provides both humor and a glimpse into human connection amid difficult circumstances.

While *Dodge City* eschews conventional dramatics like car chases or vivid landscape descriptions, it compensates with a contemplative atmosphere and keen insight into the human condition. Through Lee’s interactions and inner deliberations, the novel probes themes of identity, escape, and the search for meaning in turbulent times. Ultimately, it offers a nuanced portrayal of individuals striving, sometimes faltering, to navigate a complex and often confusing world.