Ruth Ann Oskolkoff’s Zin: A Novel

Ruth Ann Oskolkoff’s Zin: A Novel

The first chapter of Oskolkoff’s debut novel, “Zin,” plunges the reader into what appears to be a typical coming-of-age story of a young woman and her life. The novel begins as she and her boyfriend boldly strip off their clothes and walk home from an evening at the bar. As each additional chapter throws the reader into a new dramatic situation, it slowly dawns on the reader that this world is different than the current one. Each short chapter unveils more of the background, while also describing Zin’s high-spirited lifestyle. The future Seattle that Zin lives in has transformed to a socialist one, where all have healthcare, better living conditions and low cost food and housing.

Zin’s fellow revelers include her best friend Obia, a beautiful black woman with a penchant for philosophy, her doting mother Pia, her older friend Kian, and her many loves. The narrative follows her as she attends events like the Freemont Summer Solstice Parade, a druid ritual, a wiccan dance, and a trip to Paris to attend a rock concert. A drugs, sex, and rock and roll lifestyle is balanced with discussions at bars and diners. Conversational topics range from the origins of a socialist revolution and working conditions, to how difficult love can be, and the nature of life and death.

Within Zin, Oskolkoff touches on different cultural perspectives. In one chapter, Zin and Kian attend a potlatch and Oskolkoff describes the event in detail using all the senses. She narrates how Zin participates in the grand entry and what the experience feels like: “For Zin, it felt like the center of space and time, in that moment. As if the whole of the universe began and ended here, and there was nothing more central. It was a hallowed moment. Undeniably sacred. There was no individual ego, but rather a united circle. The Grand Entry moved in harmony with the spheres of the heavens. An energetic, circular hoop of energy and prayer in the form of tribal dancers.” The line, written in the middle of the chapter, not only speaks to the action but like so many others in “Zin” is a philosophical comment on the nature of life, sacred space, and relationship.

Analyzing her style, Oskolkoff’s prose is unorthodox and choppy, and resembles Guerrilla marketing. Some of the book consists of partial phrases and even single words used as sentences. In addition, the tale of Zin is told in a completely non-linear format which could be difficult for readers accustomed to the more reliable, beginning-to-end timeline. The effect could seem discordant.

However, the unusual writing also produces a completely unique work. There is a wonderful imaginative quality that includes vignettes that are one-of-a-kind. In addition, there are a poignant scenes touching on suffering, loss, and death that will stir people who have experienced the similar situations.

I recommend the book for those looking for something different. The novel is distinctive and does not fall neatly within a genre. It is a mix of political fiction, magic realism, speculative fiction, and coming-of-age. The curious nature of it has a certain affect, like an unexpected twist that moves a reader in a surprising direction. Plus, it’s a pleasure to accompany Zin on her journey towards adulthood. Ultimately, it is a thought-provoking invitation to peek into the vision of what a young life could be like free from the numbing qualities of capitalism.