Transient

"Transient" by Ward Moore is a story that finds Governor Almon Lampley wandering into a quiet town, where memories of his younger days stir within him as he reflects on times gone by and the present's challenges. The book seems ready to investigate feelings associated with nostalgia and the inevitability of change. This plays out with Lampley's conversations with the locals and his thoughts on the town’s deterioration which can be reflected as a mirror to the developments in society around him. The initial sections of the book introduce Lampley’s arrival at the hotel in this struggling town; he reflects upon the old days contrasting the lively past to the current disrepair he observes. Through personal experiences and observations, we learn of the Governor's emotional battles as he wrestles with nostalgia, regret, and a disconnection from his past. This interweaving of then and now further highlights his mental and emotional state, potentially setting the scene for a profound look into his character as the narrative unfolds.