The New Republic

Edgar Kellogg was once a heavy boy, and he has spent much of his life wishing he could be well liked. He is sent to take over as foreign correspondent in a small Portuguese outpost where a homegrown militant group has started carrying out attacks. His predecessor is Barrington Saddler, a reporter who has disappeared, and Edgar sees in him the kind of commanding personality he hopes to copy. The colleagues Edgar meets keep talking about the fondly remembered "Bear" and how much they miss his energy in the newsroom. Something doesn't add up, though. Why have the attacks claimed by the group calling itself the SOB stopped now that Barrington is gone?

The story is set on Barba, an invented peninsula in an alternate past. The tone is playful and satirical, and the author treats serious matters such as terrorism with a light, knowing hand. The plot moves quickly and is driven by suspense. Lionel Shriver is an American novelist best known for We Need to Talk About Kevin.

Beneath the plot is a question about why some people pull others toward them so strongly, while most of us barely register with anyone. What gives them that pull? And is it better to be the person everyone watches or the one doing the watching?