The fabric of American literature is intricately woven with threads of unmatched versatility and richness, mirroring the varied cultural, social, and historical landscapes that characterize the United States. From the early colonial writings to the contemporary masterpieces, American literature encapsulates a myriad of voices, genres, and perspectives that collectively contribute to its extensive history.
The literary canon of the United States encompasses an array of genres, including but not limited to novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and drama. Robert McKenzie’s magnum opus, The Chair, a grand epic saga that spans centuries, is a novel that immerses readers in the lives of 22 interrelated mothers and daughters, their stories intricately tied to a seemingly ordinary yet profoundly symbolic object: a simple pine chair.
The Chair, a five-volume pentalogy, is a journey through time, threading its way from the 1600s through WWI in Volume I: Lightning, Thunder, & Glory, and continuing into modern times and beyond with Volume II: Faith, Hope, & Love. McKenzie’s narrative prowess transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, capturing the essence of history while delving into the intimate fabric of everyday existence.
Born on October 30, 1955, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert McKenzie’s nomadic upbringing—traversing cities from Denver to Los Angeles, Phoenix to Seattle—sowed the seeds of his eclectic worldview. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Houston, McKenzie’s academic journey laid the foundation for a creative mind that would blossom into a literary force.
The inspiration to pen down something like The Chair is nothing less than an Abrahamic revelation. In a particularly poignant moment of inspiration, McKenzie found himself at a Thanksgiving dinner, where the aroma of a hearty feast filled the air; someone brought out an old chair and set it at the table—the “extra chair stored in the closet, the attic, the basement, or the garage for when surprise guests arrive at holiday celebrations.” This simple act served as a metaphor for the inclusivity and adaptability inherent in the American literary tradition.
Much like that extra chair, American literature embraces unexpected voices, stories, and perspectives, weaving them into the fabric of its narrative. This experience at the dinner table became a powerful reminder of the literary tradition’s capacity to accommodate and celebrate the diverse voices that enrich its substance, echoing the essence of surprise and warmth found in that unassuming yet significant extra chair.
The Chair is a testament to McKenzie’s experimental style, a linguistic marvel that defies categorization. Blending standard English with neologisms, portmanteau words, slang, and archaic literary traditions, the novel emerges as a unique mix of linguistic artistry. Critics, confounded by the amalgamation of dreamlike sequences and linguistic acrobatics, have dubbed The Chair as one of the most unique works of fiction in the Western canon.
Written over a decade, McKenzie’s work explores dreams with this surreal experience; concepts, memories, and places blend seamlessly. The novel’s linguistic experiments, stream-of-consciousness style, and literary allusions create a refracted effect, challenging readers to navigate a narrative landscape that defies traditional boundaries.
Despite its enigmatic nature, McKenzie remains steadfast in his assertion that “Every word can be justified.” The Chair is not merely a story but a convergence of aesthetic ideas, drawing inspiration from various mediums—authors, filmmakers, musicians, and personal experiences—that McKenzie masterfully weaves into the fabric of his narrative.
The Chair includes a complex web of optical illusions, dream associations, stark recriminations, and satirical parodies; the novel beckons readers to decipher its layers and unravel the mysteries within.
American literature has a rich tradition of defying norms, embracing innovation, and transcending conventional boundaries. McKenzie’s work echoes this tradition, pushing the envelope with its linguistic experimentation, narrative complexity, and thematic depth. From the raw, untamed beauty of the American frontier to the complex realities of urban life, American literature has always been a mirror reflecting the multifaceted nature of the nation itself.
From the ethereal musings of Emerson to the gritty realism of Steinbeck and now the enigmatic storytelling of McKenzie, American literature has proven to be a melting pot of innovation and audacity. The Chair, with its fusion of historical fantasy, linguistic acrobatics, and timeless exploration, adds another layer to this rich foundation. It exemplifies the ability of American literature to adapt, evolve, and reflect the ever-shifting landscapes of culture, society, and human experience, inviting readers to embark on a journey that transcends not only genres and styles but also the very essence of storytelling itself.
American authors continue to chart new territories, blending genres, languages, and perspectives to craft narratives that resonate globally while retaining a distinctly American flavor. In the grand tradition of literary pioneers, Robert McKenzie invites readers to explore the limitless possibilities American literature affords, reinforcing its status as a dynamic force in the global literary landscape.
