Laura van den Berg’s State of Paradise is a captivating and enigmatic novel that deftly merges the mundane with the extraordinary. Set in the aftermath of a peculiar pandemic, this narrative follows a woman navigating her life as a ghostwriter while dealing with the repercussions of a devastating storm in her native Florida. The novel transcends conventional storytelling, blending elements of mystery, science fiction, and a surreal exploration of memory and trauma.

The story unfolds in a small Florida town where the unnamed protagonist lives with her husband and mother. The pandemic has left lingering effects: some residents experience bizarre dreams, and the protagonist’s sister has undergone a physical transformation. While she juggles her responsibilities as a ghostwriter for a bestselling author and worries about disappearing people and dangerous sinkholes, her husband finds fame through his nonfiction work on pilgrimages and his local running feats.

Yet, these external concerns only scratch the surface of the protagonist’s life. She grapples with a peculiar government-issued virtual reality headset that distracts people from reality, her mother’s hidden secrets, and the haunting memories of her psychiatric hospital stay. Compounding her distress is the disappearance of her sister during a severe storm. When her sister returns, claiming to have encountered another dimension, the protagonist is thrust into a web of interconnected mysteries involving the headset, her sister’s odd behaviour, and the enigmatic disappearances.

State of Paradise is a complex and bizarre novel that exceeds the sum of its parts. Van den Berg skillfully guides readers through a narrative that is as disorienting as it is engaging. The unpredictability of the story—where even the most mundane moments may herald something unexpected—adds to its allure. An example of this is a scene where the protagonist retrieves ChapStick from her belly button, a peculiar act that underscores the novel’s exploration of the strange and surreal elements lurking beneath the surface of reality.

The novel masterfully blurs the lines between genres, oscillating between the ordinary and the fantastical. Van den Berg’s awareness of narrative design shines through, as she weaves together everyday details—like cats lounging on grass—with the possibility of supernatural occurrences, such as the protagonist’s deceased father potentially contacting her sister via virtual reality. This genre-blending approach enriches the narrative, making it both immersive and intriguing.

Van den Berg’s keen observations of Florida’s unique quirks—its weather, heat, and sinkholes—add depth to the novel, complementing its exploration of political themes. The protagonist’s past experiences in a psychiatric hospital are portrayed with raw honesty, shedding light on struggles with mental health without sensationalism. This portrayal not only enhances the novel’s authenticity but also contributes to a broader representation of mental health issues in literature.

With its exquisite prose, clever dialogue, and a growing sense of unease, State of Paradise may well be van den Berg’s most impressive work to date. The novel dances on the edge of fiction and nonfiction, offering a rich, multi-layered exploration of Florida’s psychogeography while weaving a chilling tale of ghosts, disappearances, and technological intrigue. It’s a compelling read that should not be missed.

Reviewed by Swapna Peri