Existential Masques
is a fictional coming of age story of friendship, love, tragedy, and quests for answers. The narrative delves into mental health, marital problems from a child's perspective, loss of loved ones, and physical and emotional trauma. While fictional, the book's subject matter was inspired by events that the author experienced during adolescence.
Set at a small private university in the fall of 1977, the story opens during a nightmare that William, a college freshman, is experiencing. This reoccurring horrific dream ends when his roommate Neil awakens the young man.
William has selected psychology as his major, primarily to acquire the knowledge necessary to resolve the haunting questions surrounding his nighttime terrors. He hopes that once the mystery is unraveled, it will lay to rest his nightmares and fears concerning the future.
During his first semester at college, William enlists Neil to help him search for answers. Concurrently, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious young woman on campus. William's efforts to befriend this shy, dowdy girl results in a sudden, shocking transformation of her personality and appearance.
He learns that the young woman, Claire, has a superior intellect. The two become friends, and she joins his quest. Their relationship rapidly evolves into a deep romance during the investigation. After learning that Claire has a mystery of her own, William assists in solving the puzzle. However, before the journey concludes, the couple will share a terrifying experience that threatens their relationship and William's initial mission.