The Power of Fiction

Through Evan’s use of fabricated stories, the novel argues that fiction has the ability to shape the lives and emotions of people, but warns that this is a power that comes with great responsibility. Evan is a natural fiction writer, and this personality trait of his allows him to avoid the reality of his emotions, and leads to many emotional problems and despair. Well before the action of the novel begins, he wins third-prize in a statewide story competition. When his therapist asks him to write letters to himself, he fabricates reasons why he is happy and hopeful so that his therapist and mother will think he is mentally sound and cheerful about life, even when he is depressed and anxious. For Evan, the hardest thing in the world is telling the truth.

Evan uses his natural fiction abilities to shape the...