Donald_NP1 Antrim_NP1 With_IW only_RR three_MC novels_NN2 ,_, Donald_NP1 Antrim_NP1 has_VHZ established_VVN himself_PPX1 as_II an_AT1 original_JJ voice_NN1 in_II contemporary_JJ American_JJ literature_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE work_NN1 has_VHZ generally_RR drawn_VVN comparisons_NN2 to_II important_JJ forerunners_NN2 ,_, including_II Thomas_NP1 Pynchon_NP1 ,_, for_IF his_APPGE wildly_RR comic_JJ works_NN ._. 
In_II a_AT1 Salon.com_NP1 review_NN1 of_IO The_AT Verificationist_NN1 (_( 2_MC February_NPM1 2000_MC )_) ,_, Andrew_NP1 Roe_NN compares_VVZ him_PPHO1 to_II Vladimir_NP1 Nabokov_NP1 for_IF his_APPGE use_NN1 of_IO wordplay_NN1 and_CC digressive_JJ ,_, parenthetical_JJ asides_NN2 ._. 
The_AT primary_JJ influence_NN1 on_II Antrim_NP1 ,_, however_RR ,_, appears_VVZ to_TO be_VBI Donald_NP1 Barthelme_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT introduction_NN1 to_II the_AT 2004_MC edition_NN1 of_IO Barthelme_NP1 's_GE The_AT Dead_JJ Father_NN1 (_( 1975_MC )_) ,_, Antrim_NP1 discusses_VVZ how_RRQ "_" reading_NN1 Barthelme_NN1 became_VVD part_NN1 of_IO &lsqb;_( his_APPGE &rsqb;_) learning_NN1 "_" and_CC how_RRQ ,_, upon_II discovering_VVG Barthelme_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, "_" At_RR21 last_RR22 ._. "_" 
An_AT1 important_JJ influence_NN1 that_CST Antrim_NP1 takes_VVZ from_II Barthelme_NP1 ,_, the_AT "_" artistic_JJ freedom_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT "_" permission_NN1 to_TO reshape_VVI ,_, misrepresent_NN1 ,_, or_CC even_RR ignore_VV0 the_AT world_NN1 as_CSA we_PPIS2 find_VV0 it_PPH1 "_" is_VBZ readily_RR evident_JJ in_II his_APPGE work_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR ,_, Antrim_NP1 has_VHZ created_VVN a_AT1 style_NN1 and_CC method_NN1 all_DB his_APPGE own_DA in_II his_APPGE three_MC novels_NN2 and_CC his_APPGE memoir_NN1 ,_, The_AT Afterlife_NN1 (_( 2006_MC )_) ._. 
After_CS the_AT publication_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE third_MD novel_NN1 ,_, The_AT Verificationist_NN1 (_( 2000_MC )_) ,_, Antrim_NP1 stated_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 considers_VVZ his_APPGE novels_NN2 a_AT1 trilogy_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS they_PPHS2 contain_VV0 no_AT recurring_JJ characters_NN2 or_CC settings_NN2 ,_, all_DB share_VV0 certain_JJ qualities_NN2 and_CC compositional_JJ strategies_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE first-person_JJ narrators_NN2 ,_, all_DB in_II some_DD way_NN1 a_RR21 little_RR22 deranged_VVD ,_, are_VBR notably_RR unreliable_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 are_VBR men_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 reached_VVN a_AT1 certain_JJ age_NN1 without_IW acquiring_VVG any_DD semblance_NN1 of_IO maturity_NN1 ;_; they_PPHS2 are_VBR middle_JJ class_NN1 in_II origin_NN1 and_CC attitude_NN1 if_CS not_XX in_II actuality_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE voices_NN2 are_VBR erudite_JJ and_CC rational_JJ in_II tone_NN1 ,_, no_UH matter_VV0 the_AT irrationality_NN1 of_IO the_AT narratives_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT disparity_NN1 between_II the_AT voices_NN2 and_CC the_AT narrator_NN1 's_GE perceptions_NN2 provides_VVZ some_DD of_IO the_AT comic_JJ effects_NN2 of_IO the_AT novels_NN2 ._. 
The_AT mental_JJ state_NN1 of_IO the_AT narrators_NN2 creates_VVZ a_AT1 logical_JJ explanation_NN1 for_IF some_DD of_IO the_AT strange_JJ goings-on_NN2 found_VVN in_II these_DD2 works_NN :_: they_PPHS2 are_VBR sophists_NN2 in_II the_AT philosophical_JJ sense_NN1 --_NN1 their_APPGE mental_JJ and_CC psychological_JJ obsessions_NN2 tend_VV0 to_TO create_VVI the_AT world_NN1 around_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
This_DD1 strategy_NN1 allows_VVZ Antrim_NP1 to_II ground_NN1 the_AT surrealistic_JJ and_CC strange_JJ occurrences_NN2 in_II the_AT novels_NN2 in_II realistic_JJ cause-and-effect_JJ situations_NN2 ._. 
The_AT primary_JJ settings_NN2 for_IF the_AT novels_NN2 are_VBR inside_II the_AT head_NN1 of_IO the_AT narrator_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT plotline_NN1 of_IO each_DD1 novel_NN1 involves_VVZ the_AT narrator_NN1 reaching_VVG a_AT1 climatic_JJ point_NN1 in_II the_AT process_NN1 of_IO psychological_JJ dissolution_NN1 ._. 
Antrim_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN in_II southern_JJ Florida_NP1 ,_, the_AT son_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 literature_NN1 professor_NN1 ,_, Harry_NP1 T._NP1 Antrim_NP1 ,_, and_CC Louanne_NP1 Self_NN1 Antrim_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ the_AT primary_JJ subject_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE son_NN1 's_GE memoir_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 believes_VVZ that_CST the_AT presence_NN1 of_IO books_NN2 in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 at_II an_AT1 early_JJ age_NN1 influenced_VVN his_APPGE eventual_JJ choice_NN1 to_TO become_VVI a_AT1 writer_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS he_PPHS1 grew_VVD up_RP in_II the_AT South_ND1 ,_, he_PPHS1 has_VHZ long_RR lived_VVN in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 and_CC ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 told_VVD Matt_NP1 Dellinger_NP1 ,_, does_VDZ not_XX consider_VVI himself_PPX1 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 Southern_JJ writer_NN1 ._. 
Since_CS the_AT death_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 feels_VVZ little_DA1 connection_NN1 to_II the_AT region_NN1 ,_, as_CSA he_PPHS1 told_VVD Dellinger_NP1 ._. 
His_PPGE sometimes_RT troubled_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE family_NN1 is_VBZ partially_RR chronicled_VVN in_II autobiographical_JJ pieces_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 appeared_VVN in_II The_AT New_JJ Yorker_NP1 and_CC in_II his_APPGE memoir_NN1 ._. 
Antrim_NP1 attended_VVD Brown_NP1 University_NN1 ,_, graduating_VVG in_II 1983_MC ._. 
While_CS there_RL ,_, he_PPHS1 became_VVD friends_NN2 with_IW Jeffrey_NP1 Eugenides_NP1 and_CC Rick_NP1 Moody_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS are_VBR often_RR linked_VVN with_IW him_PPHO1 ,_, though_CS each_DD1 writes_VVZ of_IO different_JJ concerns_NN2 and_CC in_II different_JJ styles_NN2 ._. 
Antrim_NP1 's_GE first_MD novel_NN1 ,_, Elect_VV0 Mr._NNB Robinson_NP1 for_IF a_AT1 Better_JJR World_NN1 (_( 1993_MC )_) ,_, is_VBZ a_AT1 work_NN1 of_IO comic_NN1 ,_, surreal_JJ violence_NN1 ._. 
Set_VV0 in_II a_AT1 nameless_JJ small_JJ ,_, suburban_JJ Florida_NP1 town_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ narrated_VVN by_II Pete_NP1 Robinson_NP1 from_II the_AT padlocked_JJ attic_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE home_NN1 ._. 
By_II profession_NN1 ,_, Robinson_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 third-grade_JJ schoolteacher_NN1 in_II a_AT1 town_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ elected_VVN to_II defund_NN1 the_AT school_NN1 system_NN1 ,_, leaving_VVG him_PPHO1 unemployed_JJ ._. 
His_APPGE opinion_NN1 of_IO Captain_NNB John_NP1 Smith_NP1 ,_, that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 "_" self-aggrandizer_NN1 and_CC brownnoser_NN1 ,_, "_" could_VM apply_VVI to_II Robinson_NP1 himself_PPX1 ._. 
Even_CS21 though_CS22 he_PPHS1 claims_VVZ to_TO dislike_VVI them_PPHO2 ,_, Robinson_NP1 fawns_NN2 over_II the_AT Rotarians_NN2 ,_, the_AT powers_NN2 that_DD1 be_VBI in_II the_AT town_NN1 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 feels_VVZ that_CST they_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI helpful_JJ to_II his_APPGE political_JJ ambitions_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 longs_VVZ to_TO open_VVI his_APPGE own_DA school_NN1 in_II31 lieu_II32 of_II33 the_AT now-defunct_JJ public_JJ ones_NN2 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 would_VM like_VVI this_DD1 desire_NN1 to_TO be_VBI seen_VVN as_II an_AT1 interest_NN1 in_II the_AT public_JJ good_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 really_RR wants_VVZ ,_, however_RR ,_, to_TO be_VBI elected_VVN mayor_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT point_NN1 of_IO planning_VVG to_TO use_VVI the_AT students_NN2 in_II his_APPGE new_JJ school_NN1 as_CSA free_JJ campaign_NN1 workers_NN2 ._. 
Robinson_NP1 longs_VVZ to_TO be_VBI popular_JJ ,_, to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 mover_NN1 and_CC shaker_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 is_VBZ insecure_JJ and_CC jealous_JJ ._. 
Part_NN1 of_IO the_AT reason_NN1 he_PPHS1 becomes_VVZ estranged_JJ from_II his_APPGE wife_NN1 as_II the_AT narrative_NN1 progresses_VVZ is_VBZ that_CST she_PPHS1 proves_VVZ to_TO be_VBI more_RGR popular_JJ than_CSN he_PPHS1 ._. 
This_DD1 disconnection_NN1 between_II the_AT narrator_NN1 's_GE professed_JJ motivations_NN2 and_CC his_APPGE actions_NN2 serves_VVZ as_II an_AT1 important_JJ source_NN1 for_IF comic_JJ effects_NN2 in_II the_AT novel_NN1 ._. 
The_AT obsession_NN1 that_CST creates_VVZ the_AT reality_NN1 of_IO the_AT story_NN1 is_VBZ found_VVN in_II Robinson_NP1 's_GE avocation_NN1 :_: he_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 specialist_NN1 on_II the_AT history_NN1 of_IO ancient_JJ and_CC medieval_JJ torture_NN1 techniques_NN2 and_CC devices_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 knowledge_NN1 he_PPHS1 has_VHZ used_VVN in_II lectures_NN2 to_II his_APPGE third-grade_JJ students_NN2 ,_, much_RR to_II the_AT chagrin_NN1 of_IO the_AT school_NN1 officials_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 also_RR lectures_VVZ on_II this_DD1 subject_II21 to_II22 the_AT Rotarians_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE thesis_NN1 that_CST society_NN1 has_VHZ internalized_VVN and_CC institutionalized_VVN the_AT barbarities_NN2 of_IO the_AT past_NN1 becomes_VVZ manifest_JJ in_II the_AT comic-book_JJ violence_NN1 found_VVN in_II the_AT novel_NN1 and_CC lends_VVZ a_AT1 dystopian_NN1 feel_VV0 to_II the_AT work_NN1 ._. 
When_CS the_AT Rotarians_NN2 decide_VV0 to_TO execute_VVI the_AT mayor_NN1 painfully_RR for_IF having_VHG fired_VVN Stinger_NN1 missiles_NN2 into_II a_AT1 local_JJ pool_NN1 ,_, killing_VVG and_CC wounding_VVG several_DA2 victims_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ Robinson_NP1 to_II whom_PNQO they_PPHS2 come_VV0 for_IF advice_NN1 ._. 
Robinson_NP1 advocates_NN2 drawing_VVG and_CC quartering_VVG the_AT mayor_NN1 ,_, using_VVG automobiles_NN2 in_II31 lieu_II32 of_II33 horses_NN2 ._. 
The_AT novel_NN1 includes_VVZ houses_NN2 equipped_VVN with_IW moats_NN2 and_CC feuding_VVG families_NN2 who_PNQS have_VH0 installed_VVN land_NN1 mines_NN2 in_II the_AT local_JJ park_NN1 ._. 
On_II one_MC1 level_NN1 ,_, the_AT novel_NN1 offers_VVZ a_AT1 parodic_JJ commentary_NN1 on_II violence_NN1 in_II society_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT dissolution_NN1 of_IO public_NN1 and_CC civic_JJ cohesion_NN1 and_CC responsibility_NN1 ._. 
On_II another_DD1 level_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 charts_NN2 the_AT psychic_JJ dissolution_NN1 of_IO Robinson_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS by_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 claims_VVZ to_TO be_VBI delirious_JJ from_II fever_NN1 and_CC may_VM already_RR be_VBI insane_JJ ._. 
Elect_VV0 Mr._NNB Robinson_NP1 for_IF a_AT1 Better_JJR World_NN1 received_VVD primarily_RR positive_JJ reviews_NN2 ,_, lauding_VVG the_AT strength_NN1 of_IO the_AT humor_NN1 and_CC creativeness_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 ._. 
Publishers_NN2 Weekly_JJ (_( 14_MC June_NPM1 1993_MC )_) called_VVD it_PPH1 an_AT1 "_" imaginative_JJ debut_NN1 ,_, "_" praised_VVD Antrim_NP1 's_GE "_" crisp_NN1 ,_, effective_JJ prose_NN1 ,_, "_" and_CC found_VVD echoes_NN2 of_IO Don_NP1 DeLillo_NP1 's_GE White_JJ Noise_NN1 (_( 1985_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT New_JJ Yorker_NP1 (_( 25_MC October_NPM1 1993_MC )_) said_VVD the_AT work_NN1 was_VBDZ "_" richly_RR funny_JJ ,_, even_RR whimsical_JJ ,_, and_CC bizarrely_RR familiar_JJ ._. "_" 
Alice_NP1 Joyce_NP1 in_II Booklist_NN1 (_( August_NPM1 1993_MC )_) said_VVD the_AT novel_JJ marked_JJ Antrim_NP1 "_" as_II a_AT1 writer_NN1 to_TO watch_VVI very_RG closely_RR ,_, "_" but_CCB Ed_NP1 Weiner_NP1 ,_, writing_VVG in_II The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 Book_NN1 Review_NN1 (_( 7_MC November_NPM1 1993_MC )_) ,_, concluded_VVD that_CST there_EX is_VBZ "_" nothing_PN1 there_RL ._. "_" 
The_AT Hundred_NNO Brothers_NN2 appeared_VVD in_II 1997_MC and_CC was_VBDZ a_AT1 finalist_NN1 for_IF the_AT PEN/Faulkner_FU Award_NN1 in_II fiction_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 novel_NN1 represents_VVZ Antrim_NP1 's_GE most_RGT explicit_JJ acknowledgment_NN1 of_IO Barthelme_NP1 's_GE influence_NN1 on_II his_APPGE work_NN1 ,_, especially_RR Barthelme_NP1 's_GE The_AT Dead_JJ Father_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Hundred_NNO Brothers_NN2 is_VBZ a_AT1 narrative_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 funereal_JJ objective_JJ --_NN1 the_AT search_NN1 by_II the_AT brothers_NN2 of_IO the_AT title_NN1 to_TO locate_VVI the_AT misplaced_JJ urn_NN1 containing_VVG the_AT ashes_NN2 of_IO their_APPGE deceased_JJ father_NN1 ._. 
The_AT dead_JJ father_NN1 does_VDZ make_VVI an_AT1 appearance_NN1 of_IO sorts_NN2 ._. 
Doug_NP1 ,_, the_AT narrator_NN1 ,_, believes_VVZ he_PPHS1 sees_VVZ his_APPGE image_NN1 in_II a_AT1 water_NN1 stain_NN1 on_II the_AT library_NN1 ceiling_NN1 and_CC asks_VVZ the_AT image_NN1 what_DDQ he_PPHS1 should_VM do_VDI ._. 
The_AT setting_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 large_JJ library_NN1 that_CST occupies_VVZ an_AT1 entire_JJ wing_NN1 of_IO the_AT father_NN1 's_GE estate_NN1 ._. 
The_AT library_NN1 walls_NN2 are_VBR lined_VVN with_IW the_AT heads_NN2 of_IO African_JJ animals_NN2 that_CST the_AT father_NN1 killed_VVD ,_, all_DB sadly_RR neglected_VVN ,_, with_IW their_APPGE hair_NN1 falling_VVG out_RP and_CC some_DD missing_JJ eyes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT library_NN1 itself_PPX1 is_VBZ also_RR in_II a_AT1 state_NN1 of_IO disrepair_NN1 ;_; the_AT lights_NN2 flicker_VV0 off_RP occasionally_RR ,_, and_CC the_AT roof_NN1 leaks_NN2 ._. 
Antrim_NP1 uses_VVZ the_AT library_NN1 to_TO orient_VVI the_AT characters_NN2 and_CC action_NN1 comically_RR as_CSA the_AT novel_NN1 progresses_VVZ ._. 
As_II the_AT night_NNT1 goes_VVZ on_RP ,_, the_AT setting_NN1 becomes_VVZ more_RGR chaotic_JJ ._. 
Outside_II the_AT grounds_NN2 of_IO the_AT estate_NN1 ,_, homeless_JJ people_NN have_VH0 set_VVN up_RP tent_NN1 cities_NN2 whose_DDQGE fires_NN2 can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN from_II the_AT windows_NN2 of_IO the_AT library_NN1 ,_, suggesting_VVG the_AT dysfunctional_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO contemporary_JJ society_NN1 that_CST parallels_VVZ the_AT dysfunctional_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO the_AT family_NN1 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE narration_NN1 ,_, Doug_NP1 comes_VVZ off_RP as_II a_AT1 fastidious_JJ failure_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS never_RR seems_VVZ to_TO have_VHI lived_VVN down_RP fumbling_VVG the_AT football_NN1 in_II an_AT1 important_JJ game_NN1 ._. 
Neurotic_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 tends_VVZ to_TO nuzzle_VVI older_JJR brothers_NN2 '_GE shoes_NN2 as_II the_AT night_NNT1 grows_VVZ late_RR ._. 
His_APPGE brothers_NN2 think_VV0 he_PPHS1 has_VHZ a_AT1 drinking_NN1 problem_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ he_PPHS1 denies_VVZ ,_, but_CCB much_DA1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 involves_VVZ his_APPGE searching_VVG for_IF a_AT1 drink_NN1 without_IW having_VHG to_TO stand_VVI in_II line_NN1 at_II the_AT bar_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 search_NN1 works_VVZ as_II a_AT1 plot_NN1 device_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE mingling_NN1 and_CC conversing_VVG with_IW brothers_NN2 whom_PNQO he_PPHS1 would_VM otherwise_RR avoid_VVI ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO the_AT interactions_NN2 involve_VV0 some_DD type_NN1 of_IO power_NN1 relationship_NN1 ;_; and_CC Doug_NP1 ,_, like_II Pete_NP1 Robinson_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ relatively_RR powerless_JJ ._. 
Many_DA2 other_JJ interactions_NN2 involve_VV0 the_AT resurfacing_NN1 of_IO old_JJ hurts_VVZ and_CC insecurities_NN2 ,_, for_IF which_DDQ the_AT brothers_NN2 find_VV0 little_JJ empathy_NN1 among_II their_APPGE siblings_NN2 ._. 
Unlike_II Robinson_NP1 ,_, Doug_NP1 ,_, though_CS ,_, has_VHZ no_AT ambition_NN1 at_RR21 all_RR22 ._. 
Doug_NP1 's_GE avocation_NN1 is_VBZ genealogy_NN1 ,_, as_CSA related_VVN to_II his_APPGE family_NN1 ,_, and_CC heraldry_NN1 --_NN1 an_AT1 insane_JJ king_NN1 exists_VVZ in_II the_AT family_NN1 background_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 is_VBZ also_RR obsessed_JJ by_II the_AT family_NN1 antecedents_NN2 who_PNQS bore_VVD his_APPGE name_NN1 ,_, all_DB of_IO whom_PNQO died_VVD at_II an_AT1 early_JJ age_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 obsession_NN1 reflects_VVZ his_APPGE own_DA longing_NN1 for_IF and_CC fear_NN1 of_IO death_NN1 ;_; it_PPH1 becomes_VVZ clear_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 has_VHZ thoughts_NN2 of_IO suicide_NN1 ._. 
Doug_NP1 is_VBZ known_VVN among_II his_APPGE brothers_NN2 for_IF the_AT dance_NN1 of_IO the_AT Corn_NN1 King_NN1 he_PPHS1 performs_VVZ at_II each_DD1 family_NN1 gathering_VVG as_II the_AT hour_NNT1 grows_VVZ late_RR ._. 
For_IF this_DD1 ceremony_NN1 ,_, Doug_NP1 strips_VVZ off_RP his_APPGE clothes_NN2 and_CC dons_NN2 an_AT1 African_JJ mask_NN1 from_II the_AT collection_NN1 in_II his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE library_NN1 ._. 
Antrim_NP1 derives_VVZ this_DD1 dance_NN1 from_II ancient_JJ mythic_JJ and_CC folkloric_JJ rituals_NN2 that_CST often_RR involved_VVN human_JJ sacrifice_NN1 ._. 
Following_VVG the_AT dance_NN1 ,_, Doug_NP1 invites_VVZ his_APPGE brothers_NN2 to_TO chase_VVI him_PPHO1 around_II the_AT library_NN1 in_II an_AT1 invitation_NN1 to_II human_JJ sacrifice_NN1 ,_, one_PN1 which_DDQ his_APPGE brothers_NN2 may_VM accept_VVI on_II this_DD1 occasion_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 act_NN1 highlights_VVZ the_AT presence_NN1 of_IO the_AT past_NN1 in_II contemporary_JJ society_NN1 ,_, whether_CSW31 or_CSW32 not_CSW33 the_AT myths_NN2 and_CC inheritances_NN2 from_II the_AT past_NN1 have_VH0 any_DD true_JJ meaning_NN1 for_IF the_AT present_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Hundred_NNO Brothers_NN2 elicited_VVD comments_NN2 from_II reviewers_NN2 similar_JJ to_II those_DD2 about_II Antrim_NP1 's_GE first_MD novel_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, Dwight_NP1 Garner_NP1 ,_, writing_VVG for_IF Salon_NN1 (_( February_NPM1 1997_MC )_) ,_, called_VVN it_PPH1 the_AT "_" most_RGT fascinating_JJ balancing_NN1 act_NN1 you_PPY 'll_VM witness_VVI in_II American_JJ fiction_NN1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. "_" 
Garner_NP1 praised_VVD Antrim_NP1 's_GE ability_NN1 to_TO "_" smuggle_VVI so_RG much_DA1 warmth_NN1 and_CC real_JJ feeling_NN1 into_II his_APPGE narrative_NN1 ._. "_" 
Antrim_NP1 's_GE third_MD novel_NN1 ,_, The_AT Verificationist_NN1 ,_, appeared_VVD in_II 2000_MC and_CC was_VBDZ chosen_VVN by_II The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 as_CSA one_MC1 of_IO the_AT notable_JJ books_NN2 of_IO the_AT year_NNT1 ._. 
In_II this_DD1 work_NN1 Antrim_NP1 returns_VVZ to_II the_AT themes_NN2 of_IO father-son_JJ relationships_NN2 and_CC the_AT refusal_NN1 to_TO mature_VVI ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ set_VVN entirely_RR in_II a_AT1 pancake_NN1 restaurant_NN1 and_CC bar_NN1 in_II a_AT1 small_JJ northeastern_JJ city_NN1 where_RRQ members_NN2 of_IO the_AT Krakhower_NN1 Institute_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 psychological_JJ institute_NN1 attached_VVN to_II the_AT local_JJ college_NN1 ,_, gather_VV0 for_IF relaxation_NN1 and_CC collegial_JJ conversation_NN1 ._. 
Once_RR21 again_RR22 ,_, Antrim_NP1 deals_VVZ with_IW father-son_JJ relationships_NN2 even_CS21 though_CS22 no_AT actual_JJ fathers_NN2 appear_VV0 ._. 
The_AT narrator_NN1 is_VBZ Tom_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 specialist_NN1 in_II Self/Other_NN1 Friction_NN1 Theory_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 invention_NN1 of_IO Antrim_NP1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 has_VHZ considerable_JJ social_JJ friction_NN1 with_IW those_DD2 who_PNQS share_VV0 his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
The_AT gathering_NN1 is_VBZ his_APPGE idea_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT novel_NN1 takes_VVZ the_AT form_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE later_JJR account_NN1 of_IO the_AT event_NN1 ._. 
The_AT possessor_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 fragile_JJ psyche_NN1 ,_, Tom_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 boy_NN1 in_II a_AT1 middle-aged_JJ man_NN1 's_GE body_NN1 who_PNQS is_VBZ known_VVN for_IF spitting_VVG water_NN1 at_II meetings_NN2 ,_, playing_VVG practical_JJ jokes_NN2 that_CST no_PN121 one_PN122 else_RR thinks_VVZ are_VBR funny_JJ ,_, and_CC starting_VVG food_NN1 fights_NN2 ._. 
Toward_II most_DAT of_IO his_APPGE colleagues_NN2 he_PPHS1 demonstrates_VVZ jealousy_NN1 and_CC feelings_NN2 of_IO inferiority_NN1 ._. 
Tom_NP1 also_RR has_VHZ problems_NN2 making_VVG decisions_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 what_DDQ to_TO order_VVI at_II the_AT pancake_NN1 house_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ in_II a_AT1 long_JJ ,_, funny_JJ aside_RL ,_, is_VBZ shown_VVN to_TO be_VBI fraught_JJ with_IW symbolic_JJ meaning_NN1 ._. 
Tom_NP1 only_RR feels_VVZ hopeful_JJ when_CS he_PPHS1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT mood_NN1 for_IF sex_NN1 ._. 
The_AT dramatic_JJ situation_NN1 that_CST drives_VVZ the_AT story_NN1 occurs_VVZ within_II the_AT first_MD thirty_MC pages_NN2 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 ,_, when_RRQ ,_, in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO prevent_VVI Tom_NP1 from_II starting_VVG a_AT1 food_NN1 fight_NN1 ,_, Richard_NP1 Bernhardt_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 colleague_NN1 sitting_VVG at_II his_APPGE table_NN1 ,_, takes_VVZ Tom_NP1 into_II a_AT1 bear_NN1 hug_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 position_NN1 in_II which_DDQ Tom_NP1 spends_VVZ the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 action_NN1 precipitates_VVZ Tom_NP1 's_GE nervous_JJ breakdown_NN1 ._. 
Richard_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 large_JJ man_NN1 ,_, serves_VVZ as_II a_AT1 terrible_JJ father_NN1 figure_NN1 ,_, disciplining_VVG and_CC destroying_VVG Tom_NP1 's_GE fragile_JJ ego_NN1 ._. 
The_AT embrace_NN1 also_RR has_VHZ homoerotic_JJ overtones_NN2 ,_, and_CC Tom_NP1 more_DAR than_CSN once_RR describes_VVZ it_PPH1 as_II a_AT1 rape_NN1 ._. 
The_AT mental_JJ breakdown_NN1 Tom_NP1 experiences_NN2 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO psychic_JJ disassociation_NN1 ._. 
While_CS he_PPHS1 is_VBZ acutely_RR ,_, tactilely_RR aware_JJ of_IO the_AT physical_JJ touch_NN1 of_IO Richard_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ mentally_RR flying_VVG around_II the_AT pancake_NN1 house_NN1 like_II Peter_NP1 Pan_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 apt_JJ comparison_NN1 given_VVN his_APPGE inability_NN1 to_TO mature_VVI psychologically_RR ._. 
What_DDQ follows_VVZ is_VBZ a_AT1 combination_NN1 of_IO hallucination_NN1 ,_, fantasy_NN1 ,_, and_CC seemingly_RR lucid_JJ social_JJ commentary_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ allows_VVZ Antrim_NP1 to_TO satirize_VVI the_AT interpersonal_JJ relationships_NN2 between_II the_AT others_NN2 from_II the_AT institute_NN1 ._. 
