The Odyssey of Fletcher received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Erik Dargitz.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
It’s called The Odyssey of Fletcher, and it will be published on October 20, 2023.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Fletcher Sinclair prepared to step out into the Southern California sun for the first time in months, knowing there was a pretty good chance it would kill him.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
The last man on Earth might be the last man you’d pick for the job. After a global virus seemingly wipes out the entire male population, a skinny, socially awkward, self-conscious video game junkie is somehow still kicking.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Ugh, I feel like I should have a good answer for this! But honestly, I can’t remember where the concept of Fletcher came from. I usually have a Note on my phone with ideas for stories, and at some point I put something down, then added to it, then added some more, and eventually it grew into something I couldn’t ignore anymore.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I think, at the very least, it will be unlike any other book they’ve read recently. That counts for something, right? But yeah, I think the fun of satire mixed with the not-so-fun of a post-apocalyptic world is a sandbox that hasn’t been played in all that much.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character?
Fletcher, bless his heart, he tries. He really wants to do the right thing, but the truth is he’s just not very good at it—at least not on his own. Misguided would be an accurate word, I think. And this becomes more true as he starts growing a little hubris, which mixes in with all the insecurities he’s collected all his life. Because everyone knows that when hubris and insecurities mix, things tend to catch on fire.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a creative director at an ad agency (shoutout 62ABOVE). We make campaigns for a lot of tourism destinations and entertainment brands, so it’s a good time. And it definitely helps my own writing. In my experience, the more time you spend around creative stuff, the more of it you soak up.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I’ll cheat and choose two. For similar reasons, I’ll always look up to Kurt Vonnegut and George Saunders. They both constantly prove to me that the most profound, stick-with-you, hit-you-in-the-feels statements are often the simplest. Big ideas, small words—that kind of thing. (Which is great because I don’t know many big words.) They also show that, on the surface, a story can be totally out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s not full of heart, or big questions, or humanity or whatever.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I recently read A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers and man, is that thing a trip. I don’t think I’ve ever read something where the voice so 100% belonged to that specific writer and that specific story. Hilarious, heartfelt, unhinged, etcetera, etcetera … but more than anything, it’s so real that you have no choice but to buy into it. I was jealous the entire time I read it.