The Second Coming

In Walker Percy's "The Second Coming," we meet Will Barrett, a man whose seemingly idyllic life—marked by wealth, a successful career on Wall Street, and the leisurely pursuit of golf in North Carolina—masks a profound existential dread. Now in his late forties, Will's carefully constructed world begins to crumble as inexplicable physical ailments, like losing his balance and erratic golf shots, hint at a deeper unraveling. He finds himself haunted by the specter of his father's suicide, fearing he is destined for a similar fate. Just as despair threatens to consume him, an unexpected figure emerges: Allison, a young woman who has recently escaped a mental hospital. Damaged and unique, Allison offers Will not just companionship, but a raw, unvarnished connection that challenges his intellectualized malaise and offers a glimmer of hope for redemption and a path toward a second chance at life and happiness. It's a poignant exploration of faith, mental health, and the search for meaning.