Author: Keith Scribner

Title: The Oregon Experiment

Publisher: Knopf

Scanlon and Naomi Pratt have left their failures behind in New York and are starting over in Oregon.

Scanlon is an academic, a university professor whose expertise is anarchy, but whose last article was skewered by his peers. Naomi is a professional "nose," one of the people who create fragrances. At least, she was . . . before she lost her ability to smell. Together, they're a thirty-something couple expecting their first child.

When Naomi lost her nose, she lost her way. Scanlon serves as Naomi's surrogate sense of smell, a role that binds them together in a visceral way. But when they arrive in Oregon, Naomi can suddenly smell again. It is fascinating to be inside Naomi's head and see the way she relates to the world through scents. But now that she has her nose back, where does that leave Scanlon?

In order to do first-hand research, Scanlon gets involved with the Pacific Northwest Secessionist Movement, a local group that wants to break away from the United States and start their own country. (They're serious.) Scanlon convinces himself that he can do "good work, important work" in his field this way, and he'd better be right: the "publish or perish" rule of academia is alive and well.

The driving force of the PNSM is Sequoia, a free spirited café owner haunted by a tragic secret. She's raising her four-year-daughter alone—a child who doesn't hesitate to walk up to her mother and breastfeed anyplace, anytime. The other standout member of the group is Clay, a young dope-smoking anarchist whose life intertwines with both Scanlon and Naomi in a complex and slightly disturbing way.

Rounding out the cast are Scanlon's parents. His dad is a former corporate lawyer turned nudist RV-er. His mom is an elderly fashionista whose idea of small talk is sexual innuendo—and some outright invitations—directed to her only child. (Not exactly your ideal mother-in-law.) She orchestrates a Christmas dinner that's as awkward as it is disgusting, thanks to the topics of conversation and a nasty act of revenge.

The Oregon Experiment is a richly textured, multi-layered look at life in what almost feels like an alternate universe. In this world, government is evil and anarchy is good. Christians are freaked-out enemies of the people while brick-throwing, SUV-burning rebels are noble defenders of the common good. There's a lot of philosophy espoused along the way, which if you're not familiar with anarchy and secessionist movements, can either be fascinating and educational or an unwelcome distraction from the story.

At its core, The Oregon Experiment is a story of dealing with failure and loss. Every character bears the scars of something in their past. Anarchy, nudism, adultery—they're all attempts to deal with the pain. In the end, everyone gets more or less what they want. It's just a shame they didn't want more.

*This review first published 6/20/2011