The Hollow Places

Kara, the novel’s protagonist and first-person narrator, is a dynamic and round character whose journey is one of rediscovery and resilience. At the story’s outset, she is adrift, reeling from a quiet divorce that has dismantled her life and sense of self. Her state of mind is captured in her methodical approach to dismantling her old life: “I had a pretty good system: pack for an hour, cry for five minutes, pack for another hour, rinse, repeat” (8). She seeks refuge at her uncle’s Wonder Museum, a place she associates with the kindness of her childhood. Initially, her goal is simple survival, a temporary stop before she must confront her uncertain future. However, the museum becomes both a physical and emotional sanctuary, forcing her to redefine her understanding of stability and home. Kara’s narrative voice is grounded in a deep-seated pragmatism and a wry, sarcastic sense of humor. When confronted with the impossible corridor, her first instinct is to rationalize and investigate, and even when faced with a situation beyond logic, she quips, “If we’re both hallucinating, then we might as well keep going” (40).