The History of Sound: Stories

Throughout the collection, Shattuck explores the meaning and purpose of art across time. Whether his characters are musicians, painters, or writers, they all attempt to use art as a tool. In “The History of Sound,” making, studying, and recording music is a way for Lionel Worthing and David to capture the beauty of their relationship and communicate their feelings to each other. In “Edwin Chase of Nantucket,” Will conveys his deep love for Laurel via his songbird painting. In “The Silver Clip,” painting connects the narrator to other artists before him. In “August in the Forest,” writing is August’s means of expressing his confused and intense longing for Elizabeth, while also establishing his identity. In “The Journal of Thomas Thurber,” Thomas Thurber uses writing to feel connected to his wife while he’s away from home, while in “Introduction to The Dietzens,” Cal Owens uses writing to memorialize his childhood connection with his sister, and in “Origin Stories,” Annie finds a way out of her isolating marriage by connecting with David and Lionel’s lost musical recordings. In this network of ways, art offers Shattuck’s characters the means to navigate their emotional spheres and to connect with others.