Stewart O’Nan, a talented novelist from Pittsburgh, has carved a remarkable niche in contemporary literature. His work, already recognized with the Drue Heinz Literature Prize and a nod from Granta magazine, reaches a new pinnacle with A Prayer for the Dying. O'Nan weaves horror into the psychological fabric of his characters, challenging both the protagonist and the reader to confront latent evil within.

Setting the Scene

The novel begins with a peaceful depiction of a small American town in the aftermath of the Civil War. O’Nan paints a serene summer landscape, filled with farmers tending their fields, children playing, and the rhythms of daily life unfolding against a backdrop of natural beauty. Residents engage in the mundane and profound aspects of existence, from familial disputes to nurturing gardens, crafting an image of an idyllic community.

The Pillar of Community: Jacob Hansen

At the heart of this town is Jacob Hansen, a man of multifaceted roles—constable, preacher, and undertaker. A Civil War veteran, Jacob embodies integrity and humility. His life, shared with his wife Marta and their daughter, is characterized by balance and duty. He is a steadfast presence, a paragon of morality who maintains the social and familial order, even as he quietly acknowledges the flaws around him. Admired for his reliability, Jacob represents the backbone of community stability.

The Encroaching Darkness

O’Nan’s narrative shifts from life’s simplicity to the grim realities of death when a farmer finds a dead soldier by a campfire. This discovery, initially thought to be murder, hints at Jacob's own shadowy past. The physical resemblance between Jacob and the corpse suggests a deeper metaphorical connection, foretelling the unraveling of Jacob’s psyche and hinting at the infection of his moral compass.

Duty and Devotion Tested

Jacob approaches his duties with meticulous care. He diligently prepares the soldier's body for burial, demonstrating the same devotion he showed to his wartime comrades. However, the looming threat of a contagious disease, revealed as diphtheria, presents a grave challenge. Jacob’s resolve is tested as he must protect his town, family, and confront the mounting losses.

A Town on the Brink

The diphtheria outbreak spirals into chaos, claiming lives, including those closest to Jacob—his wife and daughter. The town is further threatened by a devastating fire, leaving Jacob overwhelmed. As his emotional framework crumbles, the thin veneer of civilization is peeled away, exposing the ugly aspects of human desperation and depravity. Chaos reigns, and Jacob’s world descends into madness.

Descent into Insanity

Faced with insurmountable tragedy, Jacob’s mental state deteriorates. In a desperate bid to preserve normalcy, he goes to macabre lengths, embalming his family and arranging them in lifelike poses. O’Nan’s use of the second-person narrative heightens the reader’s immersion into Jacob’s disturbing predicament, blurring the lines between protagonist and reader. Jacob’s denial becomes a horrific reflection of his shattered psyche.

The Revelation and Aftermath

As the story concludes, the full horror of Jacob’s actions is unveiled. The novel’s cleverly embedded mysteries unravel, leaving readers shocked and retracing the narrative to piece together the grim puzzle. O’Nan's intricate plot snaps shut around the reader, forcing an acknowledgment of the darkness that lurks within the human soul.

Comparative Literary Influence

O’Nan’s work rivals the intensity of Stephen King, employing a disciplined prose style that draws readers deeply into the narrative. His vivid descriptions transform the audience from passive observers to active participants in Jacob’s journey. The second-person voice effectively enlists readers in Jacob’s eerie inner dialogue, enhancing the novel’s unsettling impact.

Literature and Societal Reflection

By intertwining a real historical epidemic with fictional horror, O’Nan crafts a narrative that probes...