The Odyssey of Fletcher is a 2023 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel by Erik Dargitz. It is the author’s debut novel and was released in October 2023. I was provided with a review copy by the author.
After a global virus seemingly wipes out the entire male population, a skinny, socially awkward, self-conscious video game junkie is somehow still kicking. And he’s wildly unprepared for this new world. Out there waiting for him are physicians who want to study him, a cult of spiritual extremists who want to deify him and brutal gangs with far more nefarious intentions. Throughout his journey, Fletcher does his best to act like a real man, being that he’s the only one around. Unfortunately, this only leads to more problems … for him and humanity.
Fletcher was an incredibly interesting protagonist. Over the course of the novel, my opinions of him changed drastically, swinging from liking him to hating him to rooting for him once again. He begins the story as a shy, timid and immature boy, unwilling to acknowledge his mistakes or take accountability for his actions. When he realizes how valuable he is, and the power his position gives him, he goes on a bit of an ego trip, but the narrative is able to force further growth onto him to the point where he’s redeemed somewhat by the end of the story. His arc takes him from a irresponsible, immature man-child to a man who does what he can for those around him, with the resources he has. While there were points in the novel where he was incredibly easy to dislike, his behavior at those points were realistic. They made him feel human, complex and were actions I could easily see a real person taking. The characters he interacts with felt less complex, but they were by no means one-dimensional characters. Each had their own personalities and flaws, and highlighted a different perspective to life in the post-apocalyptic setting of the story.
The plot of the story is straightforward on the surface. The story follows Fletcher as he interacts with the different groups that have formed in a world where men are dying off. Some wants to rebuild what used to exist from the ashes of society, while others want to create a whole new world. Each group viewed Fletcher, the seemingly last man on Earth, differently and had different goals regarding him. He finds himself facing different kinds of conflict as the story progresses. The first part of the book, when Fletcher is living with medical personnel, is the longest section, and it moves the slowest. This section sets a lot of groundwork for the rest of the book, and it’s the catalyst for his growth later in the story. At times, the story does get predictable in terms of plot-twists. This didn’t bother me, since the story is about Fletcher as a character and uncomfortable truths about humanity, and less about specific events happening to the characters. I liked the ending, but I loved the epilogue, both because of how it shows further growth for the characters and hints at hope for the world as a whole.
The writing in this book was great. The author figured out a way to tell this story in a way that instantly gripped me as reader. Even during slow sections, I was so invested in the story that I couldn’t put the book down. There’s an irreverent tone to the story as a whole, which fits with the narrative taking place. Fletcher’s the last man on Earth, and he’s hardly the ideal candidate. The writing imbues a number of references and “nerd humor” which I enjoyed but other readers might be put off by. At some points, it may feel like the author is breaking the rule of “Show, don’t tell” but it fits within the story because the information being “told” is typically Fletcher’s impression of things, as he’s developing into a more mature, more well-rounded person.
The Odyssey of Fletcher was an enjoyable and funny read, though it may not be for everyone. The protagonist was compelling, as easy to love as he was to hate at times. The plot was engaging, but perhaps predictable at points and slow-moving at the start. The writing worked very well for me, considering the story being told and the overall tone of the book, but I can see some readers not liking it. All in all, it was an intriguing story and an entertaining book.
Rating: 4 Stars
Purchase Links for the book: Amazon
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