A novel by R.M. Dolin
The Book of Issac – SUMMARY
“Sometimes you must break the boy to build a man.“
Unlike his estranged Uncle Darwin, who’s hyper-responsible and compelled to atone for every mistake he’s ever made, ISSAC isn’t responsible to anyone for anything, including himself. He’s ten when his dad dies in a plane crash and is nearly done with his third year at Northwestern as a successful software engineering student when his mom passes from a slowly progressing cancer. Growing up privileged does not prepare Issac for the rigors, discipline, or responsibilities of adulthood and he soon descends into a ne’er-do-well trust-fund life.
When Issac’s trust fund is frozen for over extravagances, his high-maintenance girlfriend, GABRIELLA, dumps him and he’s forced to work full time at Murphy’s Northshore Bar where MURPHY, a gruff Irishman gives Issac a job because he knew his dad and knows his uncle. Issac slowly crawls out of his financial crisis and builds a community of coworkers, including Bob, a pirate chef who everyone calls PATRICK on account of a crabby patty incident. Patrick and his sous chef, SANTI, use Murphy’s kitchen to prep for private gigs and in exchange help out on game days. LENNY is a Murphy’s regular who went to high school with Darwin, when Lenny reveals Issac the real reason Darwin became estranged, Issac angrily reacts because the news conflicts with his mom’s bitter version of events. Issac replays memories through Lenny’s filter and while not willing to forgive Darwin, he’s warming up the possibility of having family in his life.
Issac randomly meets SARA, a chef in training at the Chicago Four Seasons, and before long is in love. When Darwin dies and Sara get transferred, Issac is in free fall. To help console him, Murphy tells yarns, Patrick and Santi make food, and Lenny insists Issac goes to New Mexico to settle Darwin’s affairs.
This takes you through the first 40% of the novel, which is all I’ve written so far. I have a general idea how the rest of the story goes, but to be honest, it’s not mine to tell anymore; I’m just a guy transcribing Issac’s journey so how the story ends is on him. Below is my best guess as to how things will unfold – the conclusion, however, is still very much in flux.
Issac arrives in Santa Fe and is greeted by ANNA, Darwin’s grieving girlfriend, and VICTOR, Darwins dear friend. They drive Issac past Taos to the Marquez Mountain Wilderness where Issac is introduced to Darwin’s off-grid self-sustaining life through a series of Darwin’s journals. Initially Issac’s unaware of Darwin’s clandestine collaboration with former Silicon Valley entrepreneurs engaged in efforts to save humanity from technology’s existential threat; particularly threats from the Information Oligarch’s growing influence, the coming AI revolution, and society’s willingness to trade freedom for convenience.
TIEN, Darwin’s former protégé, invites Issac to join their clandestine campaign, which is where he meets CAMILLE, a French idealist who’s a member of the Parisian ‘l’Alliance Pour la Préservation de l’Humanité’. Camille’s uncompromising determination along with her unyielding idealism awakens Issac to the realization his ne’er-do-well life is unsustainable.
AN UNSUSTAINABLE LIFE is one story told from two perspectives. THE BOOK OF DARWIN is a journey of redemption as Darwin atones for his role in humanity’s demise while THE BOOK OF ISSAC is a journey of awakening as Issac reluctantly picks up his uncle’s mantel and discovers the burdens and obligations associated with leading a purpose-driven life.
Dr. Dolin previously worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory where his research was in the areas of Truth and Trust; primarily as it relates to information and digitally controlled processes. In addition to publishing over 100 technical papers, Dr. Dolin has written five novels, two nonfiction books, one cookbook, and a plethora of poems. Dr. Dolin’s novel writing method is to use poetry for character development and as a springboard for storytelling, as such, it is possible to enjoy his stories in both novel and poetry form.
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