Mit Out Sound

Rick Lenz explores ambition, identity, and the shadows of Hollywood in his spectacular novel, Mit Out Sound. The story follows Emily Bennett, a young woman with prosopagnosia—a condition that impairs her ability to recognize faces. Growing up in Beverly Hills, she nurtures strong aspirations in the film industry —her identity is often conflated with those she cannot acknowledge or understand fully. The plot takes readers to the late 20th century, highlighting Emily's ambition to resurrect a lost film starring John Wayne and James Dean, titled “Showdown.” As Emily navigates the intricacies of Hollywood, she encounters characters deeply ingrained in celebrity culture, including Richard Boone and Jack Butterworth. Her determination intensifies as she learns about the film's existence and the turmoil behind its abandoned production—a mix of creative ambition and personal demons. The narrative shifts between the glamorous and the profoundly emotional as personal histories and family legacies come into play. Emily’s dream of resurrecting the movie becomes more complicated with a love triangle that can shatter everything.  

Emily is a richly developed character, caught in the game between her desires and the expectations of a world drenched in image and likeness. Her brother, Ben, is another layered character used to provide a captivating backstory that enriches Emily’s world. His struggles with addiction and identity mirror Emily’s internal conflict. The setting of Los Angeles is exceptionally executed, echoing the dreams and disillusionment of those who pursue success in the film industry. Rick Lenz capitalizes on Emily’s condition to ground the conflict. The author marries her face blindness with her drive to recognize herself and her heritage, leading to profound moments of isolation and longing. Emily's pursuit of the film “Showdown” transforms into a metaphorical journey of self-discovery. Lenz skillfully crafts a canvas featuring sophisticated characters—celebrity impersonators, actors, and producers navigating a landscape fraught with illusion and hard truths. Their stories compel the reader to ponder what it means to honestly know someone, juxtaposed with the allure of fame and the urge to wear a mask. Mit Out Sound is a narrative with resonant themes and characters that refuse to move out from the imagination of readers.