Dark Laughter

Exploring themes of guilt, identity, and shame, the novel follows Bruce Dudley, a factory worker in Old Harbor, Indiana, who has abandoned his past life as John Stockton, a Chicago reporter. As he seeks a fresh start, Bruce grapples with his mundane existence and the allure of a new identity. His life takes a complicated turn when he becomes entangled with the factory owner's wife, highlighting the struggles of early-twentieth-century Americans. This work, inspired by stream of consciousness, remains controversial for its bold depictions of race, class, and sexuality.