The Examiner – Janice Hallett

I want to be Janice Hallett and think up these wonderful quirky novels told through communications among the characters. The Examiner is her latest entry where Gela, an art professor is hanging on by a thread because to stay relevant, she must connect art to its commercial potential. To be relevant, as we have all learned, arts and humanities must help students get jobs. No more, “follow your passion!” or “use college to gain a broad knowledge of many subjects for their own sake.” So, Gela develops an MA course in conjunction with a high tech company that is planning an event in the spring for its most important stakeholders. Along the way, students must write papers but the ultimate assignment is to create a “wow” effect interactive art installation to raise the energy and spirit of the attendees. This is a collaborative effort, emphasizing teamwork.

So, six students are taking the class with an odd array of backgrounds, all individually selected by Gela. Jonathan is the son of a gallery owner and expects to take over one day. He is not an artist. Allyson is already an established artist who wants to expand the mediums she uses. Patrick owns an art store and makes gorgeous sketches. He wants to return to Ireland and be an artist full time. Ludya is a graphic designer in the sandwich generation with two children she’s raising and a mother with needs. Cameron took an art class from Gela when he was in rehab, I think. (told in passing) And then there is Jem, fresh out of college as an art student, graduated with distinction, brilliant and involved with a capital i. She is into sculpture and soundscaping. We get to know these characters through their group and private chats on Doodle, the University intranet program, the essays they write, and the observations of their “outside examiner.” The outside examiner reviews the work and recommended grades of students in the MA program to ensure they are proper. He also engages in a group chat with other outside examiners throughout the novel.

But… nothing is as it seems and no one is how we first picture them. All the information is there. There is no body, but we know someone dies. Have fun with this mystery! Hallett’s approach to writing these novels through the character’s voices is priceless and gives such insight into how they want to present themselves. Just like how we present ourselves on Facebook or texts or… writing comments on a new novel. Hugely recommend.