58 pages • 1 hour read
Virgil Wander
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Themes
Revival and Redemption
Virgil’s journey begins with a traumatic vehicle accident that leaves him with memory loss and cognitive impairments. Virgil’s rebirth serves as a trigger for him to reconsider his life. Before the tragedy, Virgil’s life was defined by stagnation and unrealized potential. His survival gives him an unexpected opportunity to start over, abandoning the complacency that once defined him. Virgil’s path to redemption doesn’t involve a pilgrimage but instead is rediscovering what he already knew through new eyes. Virgil’s journey isn’t heroic or linear, isn’t progressing to a singular goal, and he sometimes resents the process. He laments, “Seize the day suggests the day has a handle or a set of lapels. I distrust epiphanies” (60). Virgil’s experiences reveal that personal redemption is a complex, sometimes perplexing process marked by painful introspection and confronting one’s mistakes and limitations.
Virgil’s redemption is closely tied to his rediscovery of purpose and passion. He says, “You don’t get many chances to return from the dead” (157), and he wants to get it right. His revival is closely tied to that of the town, a once-thriving community whose economic heyday is long past. As he becomes invested in the town’s renaissance through the reopening of his dilapidated movie theater, Virgil finds a renewed sense of meaning and direction. The theater, with its leaky roof and outdated decor, symbolizes the town of Greenstone, which, like Virgil, requires a fresh start. By bringing people back into the theater, Virgil transforms it into a beacon of hope and connectivity, reflecting his journey from hopelessness to renewal. Virgil hires Bjorn to help and, in turn, gives the young man a sense of purpose. Hosting the after-parties brings community members together and facilitates connection.
Much of Virgil’s redemption is facilitated by his reconnection with the community of Greenstone. As he recuperates, Virgil finds himself increasingly drawn into the lives of his neighbors, each wrestling with their demons. Sharing in the collective struggles and developing empathy for his community is crucial in Virgil’s physical and emotional healing process. Virgil finds solace and comfort in the natural world through his friendship with Rune. He bonds with Bjorn and Galen through their shared experience of parental loss, and with Nadine, he finally finds rest in the love of his life. This communal aspect of redemption underscores the idea that personal recovery is only possible when it’s done with the help of others. Virgil’s story illustrates how a person can live many lives in one body, and that self-reinvention is an ongoing and necessary process for a healthy, fulfilling life.
The Importance of Community
Greenstone is a beautiful town, yet no one can make a living there. The depressed local economy impacts the town’s collective self-image—evident in their bad luck-themed three-day festival—and leads many of its most promising young people to move away. However, despite the rough weather and struggling economy, Greenstone holds a curious magnetism. Aside from its natural beauty and slower pace of life, Greenstone offers an idyllic, charming lifestyle where people know one another and find strength in their community. The novel presents the small town of Greenstone as a microcosm of human interaction, where the interconnectedness of individuals significantly shapes their identities and destinies. The story celebrates the power of human connection while acknowledging the importance of personal responsibility and self-awareness. Greenstone demonstrates that community is both a source of comfort and a limitation. Small-town life creates a sense of belonging and a shared history, and life in Greenstone is familiar and predictable. However, Greenstone also exhibits the constraints of small-town living, such as gossip, pressure to conform, and stifling stagnation.
Greenstone residents go about life on their own, bearing their burdens privately. Virgil observes, “Greenstone was full of people who could make you sad just by strolling into view” (79). Yet Virgil’s experiences suggest that a healthy balance between individual autonomy and community involvement is essential. Virgil must navigate parts of his recovery independently, but his friends and neighbors play a significant role in helping him rehabilitate. Whether loaning him a bicycle, bringing food, or making him a crutch, Greenstone shows up in small ways to make Virgil feel seen and loved. He emerges from the tragedy still uncertain about many things, but he knows he can count on others when he says, “Your tribe is always bigger than you think” (356). As Virgil recovers, he also reconnects, as the community of Greenstone provides him with the support and connection necessary to rebuild his life.
Community is vital for people struggling with isolation and loss. For example, Lily Pea struggles with being Galen’s primary caregiver after Shad’s death, and Virgil steps in to become a friend and mentor to the grieving boy. Several community members speak up when they worry about the danger of Bjorn’s winter surfing. Virgil watches out for Jerry and intervenes when he realizes Jerry is in danger of hurting himself and others. Greenstone residents prove that communal care can provide solace and strength during times of personal crisis. The interconnected lives in Greenstone demonstrate that even when a town is down and out, the community can offer a safety net, catching individuals when they falter and lifting them when they need it most.
Celebrating the Beauty of an Ordinary Life
After his car accident, Virgil’s life is stripped down to its essentials, and he begins to see the world with fresh eyes. This newfound perspective allows him to find joy in the ordinary. Mundane daily activities like breakfast at the local cafe, strolling along the waterfront, and cleaning the Empress take on a new significance as Virgil realizes each moment is worth celebrating. Rune’s arrival teaches Virgil more about finding magic in the ordinary, as Rune constructs remarkable kites in the shape of everyday objects from regular household items. Rune contends that it’s not the kites that are magical but the belief in their ability to fly. The novel emphasizes that even the most commonplace aspects of daily life may be profoundly meaningful and beautiful, displaying a deep respect for the simplicity and richness of ordinary moments.
The whimsy and magic of storytelling also elevate everyday, commonplace interactions to something special. The Empress is an extraordinary place amid the mundanity of Greenstone life. The stories shared within its walls, both on screen and in conversations at the after-parties, create a sense of communal magic, bringing people together and revitalizing their sense of belonging. Virgil enjoys showing movies to large crowds but also thrills in sharing a film from his secret cache with individuals. With a simple story about a mythic fish, Rune captivates Galen and temporarily makes him forget his grief over Shad’s death. In the same way, Rune is comforted by the stories he hears about Alec. He says, “Everyone has a story about Alec. A baseball game, a neon sign, a funny thing he said” (106). His disappearance elevates him to mythic status, but Rune delights in hearing about the everyday, ordinary things that made Alec wonderful.
Virgil learns that a fulfilling life can only come from embracing his and others’ imperfections. Life post-accident isn’t really that different. Virgil still goes to work and engages in his daily routines. Yet he learns to approach his day with gratitude and the expectation that something wonderful could happen. Virgil moves from being a passive observer to an active participant in his and other’s lives. Without his words, Virgil listens more and becomes a town confessor. Rune shares his life story, Lily admits her inadequacy in raising Galen, and Nadine opens her heart. He describes listening to Nadine share about her day, “The day had not shattered records for gladness. Yet a small thing had gone right for Nadine- she bent a glass tube, and it pleased her. I’d lived years without a woman to tell me small things” (240). Learning about others’ lives and extending empathy reveals to Virgil that everyone’s life is miraculous, no matter how ordinary it looks from the outside.
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