Love in the Ruins

In a near-future America teetering on the brink of collapse, where societal decay manifests in abandoned infrastructure, rampant apathy, and extreme political polarization, Dr. Thomas More, an alcoholic, womanizing, lapsed-Catholic psychiatrist, believes he holds the key to salvation. His invention, the 'lapsometer,' is a miraculous device capable of diagnosing and curing humanity's deepest spiritual ailments – anxiety, depression, alienation, and even racism. More envisions a world where this machine can heal the fractured American psyche and avert impending catastrophe. However, the lapsometer is a double-edged sword: in the wrong hands, its power could hasten society's descent into chaos. Walker Percy masterfully blends dark humor, philosophical inquiry, and biting social commentary in this satirical speculative novel, following Dr. More's desperate, often absurd, quest to save mankind amidst the ruins of the American dream, all while grappling with his own profound spiritual and personal struggles.