This book offers perhaps the first great protagonist of the new century. Thelonius "Monk" Ellison, college professor, author of "dense" experimental novels, and recipient of 17 rejection letters, is forced to leave L. A. and return to his childhood home in D. C. to care for his ailing mother. He parlays his frustrations into "My Pafology," an exploitive novel that represents everything he hates about the publishing industry. The novel, written under the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh, catapults him to the forefront of the literary scene, causing Monk's wildest dreams and worst nightmares to unfold simultaneously.

Using Rinehart (from Ralph Ellison's INVISIBLE MAN) as a role model, Monk's pseudonym becomes all too real and comfortable for him. The elusive Stagg is able to show just enough of himself to impress a Random House editor and sell the film rights to his novel for a whopping $3 million. To his shock and horror, Monk now finds "My Pafology" on the short list for the most prestigious book award in the country.

The compelling plot takes many interesting turns, addressing themes of race, family, and publishing. A murder, family secrets revealed, and his mother's worsening condition all swirl around Monk as his literary transformation unfolds. He grapples with his creative integrity, but it is hardly a moral dilemma about taking the money; the conflict lies in his extreme sense of isolation, even with his own family, and his level of acceptance at "selling out." While Monk is ultimately able to come to terms with "My Pafology" as his masterpiece, his sense of isolation remains all too real.

With multiple layers of satire, ERASURE takes no prisoners in its assault on the publishing industry and its notions of "African American literature." Percival Everett thumbs his nose at the literary snobs and the commercial hounds alike. Television is also a target for his wrath, as he dedicates several unforgettable scenes to exposing the adverse role it can play in literature and the stereotyping of Black people.

Everett masterfully executes this novel-within-novel ("My Pafology" is presented in its entirety, comprising 75 pages of ERASURE). The result is a multidimensional protagonist interacting on several different levels. There is Monk, a lover of wood, fishing, and intellectual humor; his altar ego Stagg, the pimp-like ex-con-turned writer; there is also Van Go Jenkins, the shuckin'-jivin' main character of "My Pafology"; finally, there is the prevailing voice of Everett, threatening to turn the literary world on its ear with his relentless attack.

This is not a good book by a Black writer, nor is it a Black book by a good writer; it is a remarkable work of fiction that transcends labels. With his strong intellect and satirical wit, Percival Everett has seemingly resolved his own place in the literary spectrum while providing readers with the best of both worlds. ERASURE is a compelling and insightful read, and a must study for serious writers.