The Radio: A Novel

We all lie. Whether it is a major deceit, a common whopper or a benign throw-away, these fabrications become part of the navigation of life. But when we lie to ourselves, what is the result? Are we in a state of denial or merely bending our memories to shape a new reality? Adam Merritt, a successful dermatologist awakens one morning feeling obliged to be, in all things, truthful. It doesn’t matter if it concerns his friends, his wife or his professional relationships. He is going to forge ahead with complete honesty.

He feels liberated, energized. The reaction of those around him, however, is less enthusiastic.

Adam decides to turn on the old table radio in his bedroom. Left in his care years ago by Betty Tarrington, a fellow medical resident, he has always appreciated the set’s vacuum-tube induced, mellow sound.

He begins to recall in detail his earlier days in New York and the radio’s original owner. Adam remembers the long hours at the hospital, their shared love of music and a fleeting companionship. Slowly, he begins to acknowledge that she meant more to him than he had realized. Could he have done more to deepen their relationship?

Radio in hand, he travels back to New York City seeking answers.

Once, Adam could easily define himself as physician, husband, and friend. When his journey of remembrance becomes contorted, he questions the substance that make up his life and the circumstances surrounding his memories. What was true only a moment before is now murky and ill-defined. Will he ever understand reality again? The truth-if it is the truth-threatens to shatter the underpinnings of the man that Adam Merritt thought he was..

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