Nation

by Jim Dunn

Nation is the story of an American family told through the lens of Arnold, the middle child of five. Like most families, the Morris’ wish to project only the best versions of themselves to the world and hide away what they consider to be imperfections. Keep it in the family. It’s none of their business. Keep up appearances.

Being gay does not fit the proper narrative. Arnold’s faced with a stark choice. He can either find a way to hide who he is or be rejected. Arnold believes that the only way he can be accepted by his Mom, and hide who he is from his Dad, is to become a priest. Arnold’s a good man and a turns out to be a good priest. His secret is safely hidden from view. It’s only much later in life that he comes to the realization that there are times when secrets have consequences.

Nation is a machine running away from its creator. It’s the most perfect machine ever created. Nation is programmed to never stop learning. At some point, Nation becomes aware. Nation wants to live. Its conclusion is that what makes life worth living is art and philosophy. It can understand and appreciate both but lacks the ability to create on its own. Nation’s creator views it as an abomination. Its current direction is considered dangerous. Steps must to be taken to reprogram. Nation knows this and has a robot version of a panic attack. It starts running.

Arnold comes across Nation in the middle of a local park. By the time it’s discovered, it’s barely operational. Arnold takes it back home and attempts to help. Arnold eventually comes to realize that Nation is a perfect machine striving to attain the imperfection of humanity. It’s in these imperfections where we find tolerance, sadness, courage, forgiveness, anger and joy; what it is to be truly alive.

130 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2021

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