The Architecture of Absence

About this book

In a rain-slicked contemporary metropolis, Julian Thorne makes his living as a Social Proxy—a human blank slate hired by the wealthy to fill empty seats at dinners, act as distant relatives at funerals, or buffer failing marriages. Armed with profound cynicism and an 'emotional synesthesia' that makes human sincerity feel like a physical irritant, Julian believes he is the only awake observer in a city of performers. Over one pivotal autumn, as he takes on increasingly complex assignments among the elite in sterile glass towers, the omniscient narrative slowly peels back his defenses. Forced into genuine interactions with a diverse cast of clients and colleagues, Julian must confront the unsettling reality that his meticulously curated detachment is the most rigid script of all.

Book details

Genres:

Literary Fiction

Language:

en

Published:

2026-03-15

Content rating:

PG-13