How do I describe this story? It is so unlike anything I have read before. It reminded me a bit of Kafka’s ‘The Trial,’ but just a little bit. I must admit I was baffled by the premise, but as the story progressed it started to make more and more sense. I think it helps that we just had a general election last month, so in that light, this was quite a short but interesting read. TLDR, a man living in a cold country tries to start his own political party, but it obviously does not end well.

The longer version: Shezlez, our hero, wakes up one morning to find out that there are no records of his existence. Having done nothing of note with his life thus far, he decides to reinvent himself and seek fame by going into politics on behalf of the marginalised. His incendiary words propel him into the spotlight and he becomes a celebrity practically overnight. Initially he is pleased because he got the wealth and attention that he wanted, and he enjoys being recognised in the street and approached by strangers. He even finds romance, but everything does a 180 when he becomes self-serving. He becomes haunted by a foul-smelling pus that seems to be spreading across the city like a skin disease, which I think symbolises his own corruption. He realises that the people with their raw anger cannot be tamed or controlled the way he wants to, and ultimately surrenders to power of the mob.

As the narrative focuses on the characters’ inner thoughts, there is little to be gleaned about the environment but it is clear that this story is set in a very bleak and hopeless place. There are “the authorities,” who have done nothing about the alarming rates of homelessness and street violence in this desolate place, but the only available option is to join the Progressive Party. How exactly they are progressive, you do not know and you never find out. They are represented by a menacing duo that is very reminiscent of Pinter’s ‘The Birthday Party.’ The people are powder kegs ready to blow, and Shezlez does not understand that when he starts his own party. He profits from their unhappiness and lives comfortably, but ends up alienating and being alienated by the very people who gave him his power. The latent violence hinted at in chapter 1 via the dead sparrow mutates into full-blown riots and stampedes.

In hindsight, the ending was entirely fitting. Shezlez was never a hero to begin with, despite how he views himself. He simply did not care enough about the people he tried to weaponise, and he also flip-flopped about on his own ideology. What is the point in delivering long speeches or manifestos if your actions do not match up and you hurt the people around you?

Lastly, what really struck me was the way Shezlez continued to place his trust in the municipal system even after it has failed him. Unable to accept his setback, he fixates on the results of the recount by the electoral committee, as if hoping a miracle will occur and affirm him and give his life purpose again. Honestly, what a selfish and useless main character. It was very difficult to root for someone like him. He’s got the hubris to market himself into a political icon, but internally he is too morally bankrupt to preach about ethics. In fact, he seems to function as a symbol of impotence and failure itself, on all levels, speech or otherwise.