Fade stands out as one of Cormier's darkest narratives, casting doubt on its classification as a young-adult novel. It treads the line between young-adult fiction and the adult genre popularized by authors like Stephen King and V. C. Andrews. The infusion of supernatural elements, coupled with themes of violence and sexuality, brings its suitability for teenagers into question.

Plot Overview

The book's synopsis, typically found on the publishing information page of young-adult books, only scratches the surface of its intensity: “Paul Moreaux, the thirteen-year-old son of French Canadian immigrants, inherits the ability to become invisible, but this power soon leads to death and destruction.” The novel is structured into five distinct sections, each varying in length.

Paul's Discovery

The story begins with Paul Moreaux recounting how he discovered his extraordinary gift in 1938 at the age of thirteen. He learns from his Uncle Adelard that one member of each generation in their family possesses the mystical ability to become invisible. Adelard, a wanderer himself, recognizes the power in Paul. Initially, the ability seems like a dream for any teenager—the chance to observe others unnoticed. Yet, what Paul uncovers during his invisibility, or "the fade," is far from blissful: he confronts the darker side of human nature, including his own, predominantly within the confines of private spaces. Among the unsettling scenes he observes are acts of sexual intimacy, including incest, and he finds himself disturbingly drawn to his Aunt Rosanna.

Historical Context

The novel gains depth from the rich tapestry of Paul's personal history and the era's backdrop. No previous Cormier novel delves into historical detail as deeply as Fade does, portraying the struggles of a French Canadian family during late 1930s America. Against this backdrop, labor strife unfolds in a New England factory town, culminating in a brutal strike. While Paul perceives personal corruption during his phases of invisibility, in his tangible life, he witnesses the societal evils born from dire economic conditions.

Fragmented Narrative

The narrative becomes notably fragmented in the second half. Here, the story jumps to the present fictional time where a young female cousin of Paul collaborates with his literary agent in New York. They aim to verify whether the manuscript fragment, which makes up the novel's first half, was genuinely penned by the renowned "Paul Roget," who passed away at forty-two in 1967. The third and fourth sections further the manuscript's tale, where Paul uncovers the identity of the next family member with the "fade" and sets out to find him. This search leads to chaos and devastation, as Paul's nephew, Ozzie Slater, a thirteen-year-old left behind by his mother Rose, emerges as a deranged murderer terrorizing a small Maine town. Ultimately, the older fader is forced into a deadly confrontation with his successor.

Criticisms and Themes

This novel's reception among critics and reviewers of young-adult literature stems from more than just its mature themes of sex and violence. The sexual content, particularly in the first segment, is mature and unsettling, even for the young protagonist Paul. As the plot shifts to the latter half, sexual tension gives way to brutal violence, akin to the chilling narratives authored by Stephen King and his contemporaries. The most contentious issue is the lack of a profound theme to counterbalance the graphic content; instead, the novel's focus appears to be on the visceral reactions it provokes in readers.

Autobiographical Influences

While many elements in the storyline are drawn from Cormier’s own life, he seems unable to extract the moral revelations that typically underpin his earlier works. A comparison with I Am the Cheese highlights this shortcoming. Both novels are gripping thrillers culminating in violent denouements. However, unlike Adam Farmer from the previous book, who seeks to comprehend his past and confront present challenges, Paul Moreaux’s journey lacks intrinsic meaning, save for grappling with the "fade." Furthermore, the introduction of a secondary narrative set in the present dilutes any potential significance his story might hold.