THIS ISLAND, THIS LIFE

Sahatdjian’s novel follows the ups and downs of a lifelong New Yorker.

When readers first meet Johan Manootdjian, he is asleep in his cubicle. Johan works in the publishing department at an organization called Girls of America Now—or, as he privately refers to it, “the org.” It is not the most stimulating work, but it is hardly the worst job he has ever had; as he admits, “I’m grateful to have a job, even if it doesn’t always feel substantial.” In this novel, there is much to learn about Johan’s life, from his previous employment history to his relationships with his family members and beyond…the narrative takes a deep dive into all that makes Johan Manootdjian tick. The story regularly returns to Johan’s experiences as an alcoholic and with recovery. In sobriety, he learns to “build your day around a meeting,” even as these meetings contain “felons, arsonists, hit men, women of the night as well as those of sterling character and high achievement.” Then there are Johan’s worktime activities; the org is flush with conniving characters, whether they are like the new, ambitious arrival Lurleen Lulabella, who wants, among other things, to create a fun work environment, or the unflappable CEO and “luminous American star” Jane Fallows. These and many, many others cycle in and out of the pages as Johan’s days are laid bare.

While it may initially appear that the story will simply follow the exploits of an office worker and his quirky cohorts, the novel comes to encompass much more. (It was a long road for Johan, in his 50s, to get to the point of falling asleep in his cubicle.) Many of the descriptions along the way are distinctive and striking, such as when he rubs shoulders with “boozehound men drinking from quart bottles of beer dripping with cold sweat.” Likewise, New York City, through Johan’s eyes, is well illustrated. He recalls the old, “exquisite” Penn Station that was “demolished by the wrecking ball of those with no regard for the city’s treasures.” He lives at a time when the SoHo neighborhood had “loft buildings full of artists pursuing their vision.” But the work also contains scenes and details that do not serve much purpose. Johan describes his job interview process at the org, which is no more appealing than one might expect, with quotidian details like “A week later I was called back for a second interview.” Not only is the process not particularly stimulating to read about, but the reader already knows the outcome. In other places, relatively minor characters are given extensive backgrounds. Readers learn all about Jane Fallows, “a woman of conviction with the clarity of mind and strength to buck generational currents,” though such commentary feels unnecessary. Still, though Johan’s journey is a sometimes tedious one, readers come to know him well and remain curious to see what shape he and his environment will ultimately take as the pages progress.

While dense, this character study creates an enveloping world and a memorable protagonist.