In A Gentleman’s Guide to Graceful Living, Michael Dahlie introduces us to Arthur Camden, a fumbling protagonist in his sixties in this debut novel that is both measured and humorous, with dark undertones, divided into four parts.
Arthur, recently divorced and still reeling from his business downfall, finds himself being his own worst enemy. At the beginning of the novel, he breaks the rules of the Hanover Street Fly Casters by sneaking a woman into Maidenhead Grange, the camp of his exclusive fishing club, leading to accidentally burning the place down. This triggers a series of poor decisions by Arthur: covering up for an alcoholic friend suspected of abusing his ex-wife and children, stealing a valuable family heirloom from a cousin, and engaging in a relationship with Rebecca, his ex-wife who left him for an old boyfriend after a thirty-two-year marriage filled with infidelity.
Despite his recklessness, Arthur evokes empathy due to his mix of wealth and intellect akin to Jay Gatsby, yet struggling through life with the awkwardness of Willy Loman. Unlikable and unrespected by those around him, Arthur realizes his lack of dignity and decides to resign from the club and flee the country in an attempt to salvage his remaining self-respect. The narrative then turns into a picaresque adventure as Arthur embarks on a journey in search of “graceful living,” spanning from France to Nantucket with a detour in Switzerland.
Recognizing his tendency to avoid problems, Arthur confronts a situation head-on during a family gathering in part three, resulting in a humorous yet engaging turn of events. His encounter with his cousin’s prized watch, believed to belong to his father, leads to a failed attempt at reclaiming it, ultimately causing him to flee once again and setting the stage for the final chapter of the novel.
Readers of A Gentleman’s Guide to Graceful Living will appreciate the intricate portrayal of Arthur Camden by Dahlie, presenting him as an atypical character. Unlike typical Manhattan elites in contemporary fiction, Arthur is portrayed as not a heavy drinker and not a womanizer. Reflective, intellectual, and reserved, Arthur resembles characters from modern dark comedies by filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Noah Baumbach, and Alexander Payne rather than traditional literary figures. Much like Schmidt in Payne’s adaptation of Begley’s novel About Schmidt, Arthur is kind-hearted but naive, illustrating the theme that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself and start anew.
In conclusion, accompanying Arthur on his journey in A Gentleman’s Guide to Graceful Living proves to be a rewarding experience. Dahlie’s debut novel is a compelling read, establishing him as a promising new talent in the literary world.
