A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz

This extensive text is comprised of excerpts from the novel "A Fraction of the Whole" by Steve Toltz, primarily following the first-person narrative of Jasper Dean. The narrative details Jasper's troubled life, beginning with his time in prison and his complicated relationship with his philosophical, erratic father, Martin Dean, and his infamous, criminal uncle, Terry Dean. The excerpts cover topics such as family dysfunction, the development of a bizarre town suggestion box with unexpected consequences, Jasper’s experience with his mother’s illness and death, and the dramatic unfolding of his uncle Terry’s life as a vigilante criminal and his eventual faked death and return. The text also touches on Jasper's personal relationships and his later journey to Europe to seek out his deceased mother’s past, all while grappling with existential questions and the chaotic legacy of his family.