Novels: The Maitre de

The Maitre de is Deren’s first novel, although it has yet to be published. It is a story of a man nearing his fortieth year of life. Through a series of flashbacks, readers learn about the unfortunate journey this man’s life has taken. Thomas has finally become the Maitre de of an eloquent restaurant, a title he has sought for so many years. However, his current life has unfolded very differently from how he had imagined it. And he must now decide what action he should take in order to fulfill the failed expectations of his early years.

The way Thomas has lived his past will have a telling affect on how his future plays out.  Despite a long life of disappointment, Thomas will try to find the courage to finally take control and master his own destiny for he has truly become a master of nothing.  This is a psychological thriller in which a man experiences a coming of age through some very unusual means.  Thomas becomes a tragic hero by refusing to be a drone any longer and ultimately takes extreme measures in lashing out against a society that has neglected him for so long. 

Deren is currently updating this novel while adding some new innovations and should have a completed version  by this summer.

My first completed novel that was finished when I was only fresh out of college. It is a psychological thriller that concentrates more on internal action as opposed to the external. I never delved into any kind of literature until the middle part of my 6½ year tenure in college. But it was then I found myself greatly influenced by classical literature. Subsequently, The Maitre de was written in a more classic form. Elaborate uses of language and symbolism highlight this work, which I will revisit and attempt to modernize over the next year.