Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 1, Unspoiled Monsters, pp. 45-73 Summary

Part 1, Unspoiled Monsters, pp. 45-73 Summary

Back in New York, in the aftermath of a rainstorm, Jones encounters Woodrow Hamilton, a well-to-do stockbroker who reacts to Jones' apparent sorry state with the suggestion that he become a companion for hire by Victoria Self of "The Self Service Agency." Conversation about writing and about Jones' career reveals that Jones is working on a novel, titled "Answered Prayers" like his first work, and that it's to be based on Jones' experiences with Kate McCloud and her friends. Jones and Hamilton discuss the relationship between art and life, referring to Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past." They also discuss the relationship between truth and illusion, with Jones saying that his book is about "truth as illusion," and that "illusion as truth" is another subject.

Upon his arrival at Miss Self's office, Jones encounters a prissy, officious secretary named Butch. When he is interviewed by Miss Self, Jones is surprised by...
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