In the wake of his watershed novel Divine Days Leon Forest began an even moreambitious project a collection of novellas that he hoped would be theculmination of... » 

In the wake of his watershed novel Divine Days Leon Forest began an even moreambitious project a collection of novellas that he hoped would be theculmination of his lifes work and of the fictional world of Forest Countywhich he had created in his five earlier novels. Although slowed by devastatingillness in 1997 Forrests labor on his masterwork continued while the novelassumed a focus tighter than he had originally intended Forrest felt justbefore his untimely death that he had succeeded in bringing a unified vision tothe manuscript of Meteor in the Madhouse.Meteor in the Madhouse is a novel made up of five interconnected novellasframed by an account of the last days in the life of journalist Joubert AntoineJones a character immortalized in Divine Days. The central relationship in thenovel is that of Joubert and his adoptive kin and fellow writer Leonard Foster.A symbol of the struggle for freedom and equality Leonards search for truth leading him into political agitation cultish religion and eventual deathfrom drug addiction immerses Joubert in feelings of guilt and frustrationwhen he is unable to save his friend and mentor. As Joubert reflects onLeonards death he is both haunted and rejuvenated by the characters andepisodes of their shared past. We meet the women in Jouberts life fostermother Lucasta Jones whose aesthetic and erotic potential goes unfulfilledLucastas sister Gussie irrepressible in her zest for life and Jessie Ma FayBattle Barker known for her indomitable spirit and largesse. Joubert recallshis visits with Leonard and Leonards further breakdown in the face of humorousmemories from their youth the behavior of theDeep Brown Study Eggheads whoinhabited the wonderfully diverse rooming house near Jouberts alma mater andthe characters fre quenting Fountains House of the Dead a funeral home byday and a brothel by night.As Joubert and his relations tackle the forces of love lus «