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The Missing Person
When art history grad student Lynn Fleming finds out that Wylie, her younger brother, has disappeared, she reluctantly leaves New York and returns to the dusty Albuquerque of her youth. What she finds when she arrives is more unsettling and frustrating than she could have predicted. Wylie is nowhere to be found, not in the tiny apartment he shares with a grungy band of eco-warriors, or lingering close to his suspiciously well-maintained Caprice. As Wylie continues to evade her, Lynn becomes certain that Angus, one of her brother’s environmental cohorts, must know more than he is revealing. What follows is a tale of ecological warfare, bending sensibilities, and familial surprises as Lynn searches for her missing person.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
6 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Alix Ohlin
19 books219 followersAlix Ohlin is the author of The Missing Person, a novel; Babylon and Other Stories; and Signs and Wonders, a story collection. Her work has appeared in Best American Short Stories, Best New American Voices, and on public radio’s Selected Shorts. She lives in Vancouver, BC.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 23, 2009
Alix Ohlin studied at the Michener Center, which is what drew me to this novel.
I had a hard time buying the characters' ideologies. That is, I didn't believe that they were the characters' as opposed to the author's, which made me contemplate that very aspect of good fiction. What is it that makes us believe in the *beliefs* of the characters, as separate from the author? It's a critical question, and mastering it is (in my opinion) critical to the success of any text.
Though Ohlin didn't convince me of her characters' ideologies, I did buy into the characters themselves (as contradictory as that sounds). I cared about the characters, and I wanted to know became of them. Half-way through the book, I began thinking of them as slightly untrustworthy/annoying friends--you like them; you're invested in them; you just don't trust them, or necessarily believe anything they say.
I had a hard time buying the characters' ideologies. That is, I didn't believe that they were the characters' as opposed to the author's, which made me contemplate that very aspect of good fiction. What is it that makes us believe in the *beliefs* of the characters, as separate from the author? It's a critical question, and mastering it is (in my opinion) critical to the success of any text.
Though Ohlin didn't convince me of her characters' ideologies, I did buy into the characters themselves (as contradictory as that sounds). I cared about the characters, and I wanted to know became of them. Half-way through the book, I began thinking of them as slightly untrustworthy/annoying friends--you like them; you're invested in them; you just don't trust them, or necessarily believe anything they say.
November 1, 2015
I was browsing the bookshelves of the Albuquerque Public Library when I stumbled across The Missing Person. After reading the synopsis and discovering that the book takes place in Albuquerque, I decided to give it a try.
Most of the novel focuses on the dynamics of relationships as observed by Lynn, an Albuquerque transplant attending graduate school in New York. After returning home for a long stint, she finds herself amidst her mother having an affair with a married man, a brother whose world revolves around extreme environmental activism, and a dissertation that lacks depth or direction.
As Lynn encounters people from the past and develops new relationships, she uncovers secrets of mental illness, questionable ethics, and family drama. The missing person becomes a metaphor for many of the characters. What was the real personality of her now dead father? Who is the woman behind the paintings Lynn is writing her dissertation on? What drives people to have such strong convictions?
Overall, this book piqued my curiosity from start to finish. The depictions of Albuquerque were often exaggerated and unfairly stereotyped, with descriptions of cholo low riders, maniacal criminals, and uneducated, uncultured citizens. I also felt that the denouement of the novel unfolded too abruptly. The unexpected illness of a character sparked a domino of events that ultimately led to a return to things as they once were.
Most of the novel focuses on the dynamics of relationships as observed by Lynn, an Albuquerque transplant attending graduate school in New York. After returning home for a long stint, she finds herself amidst her mother having an affair with a married man, a brother whose world revolves around extreme environmental activism, and a dissertation that lacks depth or direction.
As Lynn encounters people from the past and develops new relationships, she uncovers secrets of mental illness, questionable ethics, and family drama. The missing person becomes a metaphor for many of the characters. What was the real personality of her now dead father? Who is the woman behind the paintings Lynn is writing her dissertation on? What drives people to have such strong convictions?
Overall, this book piqued my curiosity from start to finish. The depictions of Albuquerque were often exaggerated and unfairly stereotyped, with descriptions of cholo low riders, maniacal criminals, and uneducated, uncultured citizens. I also felt that the denouement of the novel unfolded too abruptly. The unexpected illness of a character sparked a domino of events that ultimately led to a return to things as they once were.
January 18, 2009
This is a must read. My friend Alix wrote it, and it is a great book--especially for all you eco-terrorists out there (although you may be disappointed). This novel should have gotten a lot more attention than it did. Pull out the hankies, people.
July 27, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's Ohlin's first novel and it's already filled with 3-dimenstional characters, real dialogue and many world-issues to ponder. I am looking forward to reading more of her.
January 2, 2025
Studying graduate level art history in NYC but stuck in a year-long stasis re: her degree Lynn returns home to Albuquerque when her mom calls, worried about Lynn's brother, Wylie, who is an eco-terrorist. Back in ABQ haunting Wylie's apartment Lynn pretty quickly finds a boyfriend and her brother, in that order; she's passively pulled into their orbit and tags along on some of their bizarre environmental statements. Lynn is still mourning her father's death; there is some tension in her relationship w/ her mother with whom she is living while back home. She finds two unusual paintings she remembers from her childhood and wonders about the artist and how her father came to own them. The missing person from the title is her brother, her father, and the artist Eva Kent but one could also argue that the adult/mature Lynn is also a mystery.
Lynn is a spunky character; she's funny, opinionated, quick-witted and strong-willed. She's also judgmental - she looks on Wylie's friends as illogical and irrational (although she eventually understands them better) and she's mildly scornful towards her mother's boyfriend. She treats her mother poorly - it is as if she is staying at a hotel. She's a bit spoiled/entitled - her mom buys all the food, Lynn is apparently still a child who needs someone w/ a day job to buy and cook food and pay the rent. She's coasting, which frustrates her mother (and this reader). It is also not clear how Wylie is making ends meet - these are kids who rely on their parent's money and care all the while overtly judging their life choices safely from their entitled bubble.
Lynn is a spunky character; she's funny, opinionated, quick-witted and strong-willed. She's also judgmental - she looks on Wylie's friends as illogical and irrational (although she eventually understands them better) and she's mildly scornful towards her mother's boyfriend. She treats her mother poorly - it is as if she is staying at a hotel. She's a bit spoiled/entitled - her mom buys all the food, Lynn is apparently still a child who needs someone w/ a day job to buy and cook food and pay the rent. She's coasting, which frustrates her mother (and this reader). It is also not clear how Wylie is making ends meet - these are kids who rely on their parent's money and care all the while overtly judging their life choices safely from their entitled bubble.
September 7, 2025
Lynn Fleming has interrupted her summer in New York City where she was working on her graduate dissertation in women's art to return to Albuquerque at the behest of her mother. Lynn's brother Wylie is missing and their mother is understandably worried. When Lynn visits the apartment where Wylie lives, she finds instead a group of scruffy people who seem to be devout environmentalists, willing to do anything to disturb Albuquerque's status quo. When Wylie eventually appears he refuses to see their mother because she just doesn't understand his lifestyle. Neither does Lynn but she becomes swept up in the less than legal activities of his friends.
There are a secondary stories about 2 paintings by an obscure woman, an affair between their mother and an ex-next-door-neighbor that has apparently been going on for years, and a houseful of people who coexist in dirt and not much else. I was totally confused most of the time and I don't have a satisfied feeling even after finishing the book.
There are a secondary stories about 2 paintings by an obscure woman, an affair between their mother and an ex-next-door-neighbor that has apparently been going on for years, and a houseful of people who coexist in dirt and not much else. I was totally confused most of the time and I don't have a satisfied feeling even after finishing the book.
August 17, 2025
Back jacket overview was quite off - said she suspected Angus of "knowing more than he was revealing" about her brother which I guess was true but wasn't a major part of the plot. Painted a vibe of the southwest, did stir some emotions, interesting themes (which were explicitly spelled out at one point) but I don't think will stay with me. Underwhelming ending - her return to New York felt almost unrelated to the events that transpired.
June 2, 2017
I rate this book a 3 1/2. It was an interesting story, well written but it wasn't the best I have read. It may be because the characters weren't really fleshed out and many questions unanswered. When I was near the end, I wondered how the story would get wrapped up with so few pages, but I did like the way it ended.
September 20, 2021
I like it but I don’t know why.
Lynn’s character is interesting in that she’s trying to figure herself out. Her story can be considered mundane but I think the simplicity of it made it connect with me. She’s looking for her brother but she finds this gang of people and has fun running around.
Overall, there’s nothing much to it but I liked that.
Lynn’s character is interesting in that she’s trying to figure herself out. Her story can be considered mundane but I think the simplicity of it made it connect with me. She’s looking for her brother but she finds this gang of people and has fun running around.
Overall, there’s nothing much to it but I liked that.
June 6, 2024
I was really hoping for intrigue and felt misled by the synopsis on the back. I think this author has real talent for storytelling, but this story kept stringing me along with no real payoff…well there was one at the end, but I resented the time it took to get there.
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February 19, 2020Free shelf Dec. 2019
January 26, 2023
Interesting. 3 1/2 stars.
A contemporary fiction novel makes a good change from the usual plot-driven mysteries, suspense novels, etc. Both the up and down side are that the novel spools on a bit aimlessly, like the protagonist who doesn't know what she's doing with her life or where she's going.
So what she does is go back to where she's from, only to realize she never saw her home or her family when she was there. She's oblivious to what is in front of her, and when she starts to clue in, her responses are inadequate and even pathetic. She's not particularly mature, talented, insightful, or heroic--in short, she's a lot like most of us. It was in this way I really saw myself in her and the novel resonated for me.
The plot of the novel isn't all that crucial--she's lost, get involved over her head, starts to believe in complicated fantasies that she thinks will Explain Everything, and is very lucky to escape as easily and as unharmed as she does. But there is some serious collateral damage along the way, and while she grieves, I don't know that she takes full responsibility for her part in it. But what she does do is begin to grow up and take a little responsibiity for her self.
A contemporary fiction novel makes a good change from the usual plot-driven mysteries, suspense novels, etc. Both the up and down side are that the novel spools on a bit aimlessly, like the protagonist who doesn't know what she's doing with her life or where she's going.
So what she does is go back to where she's from, only to realize she never saw her home or her family when she was there. She's oblivious to what is in front of her, and when she starts to clue in, her responses are inadequate and even pathetic. She's not particularly mature, talented, insightful, or heroic--in short, she's a lot like most of us. It was in this way I really saw myself in her and the novel resonated for me.
The plot of the novel isn't all that crucial--she's lost, get involved over her head, starts to believe in complicated fantasies that she thinks will Explain Everything, and is very lucky to escape as easily and as unharmed as she does. But there is some serious collateral damage along the way, and while she grieves, I don't know that she takes full responsibility for her part in it. But what she does do is begin to grow up and take a little responsibiity for her self.
August 19, 2012
Wonderful debut 'coming of age' novel about an art history major from New Mexico who returns from New York, her dissertation stalled, and confronts a whole host of demons, from her unresolved grief over her father's death, her uneasy relationship with her mother, the distance that has evolved between herself and her only sibling, her brother Wylie. Some just brilliant writing here, as in this passage:
'There was a kind of elaborate diplomacy between us. Actually, I thought, we could have used some form of simultaneous translation to help us communicate, as if we were foreign dignitaries.
'"Lynn, could you set the table?" Since you've accomplished nothing else useful this summer.
'"Sure, Mom." That's not fair. I did bring Wylie home, and you made a mess of that.
'"Do you like Italian dressing?" At this point I don't even know what you like, or even, frankly, care.
'"Anything's fine with me." The feeling's mutual.'
'There was a kind of elaborate diplomacy between us. Actually, I thought, we could have used some form of simultaneous translation to help us communicate, as if we were foreign dignitaries.
'"Lynn, could you set the table?" Since you've accomplished nothing else useful this summer.
'"Sure, Mom." That's not fair. I did bring Wylie home, and you made a mess of that.
'"Do you like Italian dressing?" At this point I don't even know what you like, or even, frankly, care.
'"Anything's fine with me." The feeling's mutual.'
November 14, 2007
The Missing Person is such a well-picked title for this book. The Missing Person could refer to so many things: the narrator's brother who disappears, but only for a short while; the narrator herself, who misses people like her father; the mysterious painter; and even all of us, who are missing things in our lives.
This is a fairly simple book, but it has layers to it that make it almost beautiful while reading. Best of all, the author doesn't find it necessary to talk above you to make herself feel superior. It's straightforward language, but there is still a lot to digest and enjoy.
This is a fairly simple book, but it has layers to it that make it almost beautiful while reading. Best of all, the author doesn't find it necessary to talk above you to make herself feel superior. It's straightforward language, but there is still a lot to digest and enjoy.
December 22, 2007
When a grad student struggling to write her art history dissertation is beckoned home from NYC to New Mexico to deal with her brother, an eco-activist, wacky adventures ensue. OK, not exactly: she falls for one of her brother's cohort, becomes fascinated by two paintings bought by her late father, and has to deal with her mother's affair with a married man. The story was ok, but there was absolutely no closure and things got pretty unbelievable toward the end anyway. OK, I guess I'll give this one a B/B-.
September 6, 2012
This book was okay. I enjoyed reading it until the end. I thought it really just fell flat at then end. There wasn't any resolution with any of the plot points she set up. Like how her father ended up with the Eva Kent paintings. I thought she made a big enough deal about this that there should've been a much better payoff in the end. And all the characters go back to the way they were in the beginning of the book. No major changes. So what the hell did I read all those pages for? Riddle me that Alix Ohlin.
December 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to stop for sleep, which is always a good sign. It is so much like a mystery, but it is also a family drama. Environmentalism is also a theme, or maybe just a plot device.
The evolution of Lynn's view of her family, her past, and her present progresses beautifully and believably. I would have enjoyed even a longer version of the evolution, but it is fine as is.
I think this is a debut novel. Well, well. I was impressed. The author has a good voice, if that's the word.
The evolution of Lynn's view of her family, her past, and her present progresses beautifully and believably. I would have enjoyed even a longer version of the evolution, but it is fine as is.
I think this is a debut novel. Well, well. I was impressed. The author has a good voice, if that's the word.
May 24, 2015
I read this book about nine years ago and lost track of it a few years later, unable to recall the correct title or author but wanting to re-read it. I searched art grad student, eccoterrorism, but mistakenly Arizona instead of Albuquerque. Thanks to AbeBooks members for help in tracking this down, it was wonderful to revisit this contemporary story of searching and redefining.
September 6, 2007
this one is an entertaining summer beach read, but i wouldn't call it pop fiction. the author definitely has lofty aspirations, but her writing is a bit fumbly. it will keep you engaged, despite certain cringe-worthy passages.
February 25, 2010
I struggled to get through this book. I wanted to know what happened, but I felt like the plot dragged a lot. And when I got to the end, there wasn't really any closure. I thought the plot sounded interested on the dust jacket, but that's where it ended...
February 13, 2008
Ohlin's descriptions of New Mexico only validate my own belief that hot and dry is a bad climatic situation.
August 9, 2009
New Yorker goes back to Albuquerque at her mother's request to find eco-warrior brother.
June 26, 2012
This book was funny for me...I flew through it and really wanted to read it, but didn't love the characters....
August 2, 2012
A very interesting author. I'm glad I found her.
August 8, 2012
A little disappointing. Good writing, but not sure the story went anywhere
May 5, 2013
I tried to like it, waiting to get excited, drawn in, until the very last pages, but was left bored and unsure the why I read it in the first place.
June 5, 2013
Beautifully written and super visual. The narrator, and all the characters, are likable and believable. Definitely going to read more stuff by Alix Ohlin.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews