Ticknor

An aging bachelor confronts his insecurities while visiting an accomplished friend in Ticknor, revealing the complexities of their one-sided friendship.

On a cold, rainy night, George Ticknor, an aging bachelor, prepares to visit his childhood friend Prescott, who has become a prominent intellectual figure. Despite their shared past, George feels a mix of resentment and inadequacy as he approaches the dinner party at the Prescotts' home. With a hastily baked pie in hand, he grapples with the weight of his own insecurities and the complexities of their friendship.

As George navigates through his memories and feelings of guilt, the narrative unfolds a witty and fantastical exploration of their one-sided relationship. The story is inspired by the real-life friendship between the historian William Hickling Prescott and his biographer, providing a rich backdrop against which George's internal struggles are highlighted. The dinner party becomes a metaphor for the social expectations and personal demons that haunt him.

Ticknor delves deep into the themes of self-doubt and the nature of friendships that are often unbalanced. Through sharp dialogue and introspective moments, the book paints a vivid portrait of George's character, making readers reflect on their own relationships and the unspoken tensions that can exist within them. Ultimately, it is a poignant reminder of how our past shapes our present and the complexities of human connection.