10:04 is a novel by American poet and writer Ben Lerner. His second fictional novel, 10:04 follows the story of a writer living in New York City that has become very successful. However, after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition, the writer wonders how to continue with his life. The novel is often classified as being metafiction, as it reminds readers that the story is fictional. The book may have been inspired by Lerner's own life, who lives in New York City and had a previously successful novel.
Ben Lerner was born in 1979 in Topeka, Kansas, and currently lives in New York City where he teaches English at Brooklyn College. Aside from writing novels, Lerner also writes poetry, most of which is based in his hometown of Topeka. Lerner has received several prizes throughout his distinguished literary career, such as gaining a MacArthur Fellowship, winning the Preis der Stadt Münster für Internationale Poesie, and becoming a finalist in the race for the National Book Award.
"10:04" by Ben Lerner is a contemplative and intellectually rich novel that defies easy categorization. Published in 2014, the book follows the protagonist, also named Ben, through a year in his life as he navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and the artistic process. Blurring the lines between fiction and autobiography, Lerner's work engages with the cultural zeitgeist and explores the nature of time, identity, and the act of creation.
At the heart of the novel is a meditation on the concept of time, both in the abstract and the personal. The title refers to a moment in the film "Back to the Future," where the clock tower is struck by lightning at 10:04 PM. This serves as a recurring motif, symbolizing moments of potential change and the fluidity of time. Lerner's narrative is intricately layered, incorporating elements of metafiction and self-reflection, creating a narrative that challenges traditional storytelling conventions.
"10:04" has been celebrated for its intellectual depth, stylistic innovation, and its exploration of the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality. Ben Lerner's narrative voice is both introspective and engaging, making the novel a unique and thought-provoking reading experience. As the protagonist grapples with the uncertainties of the future, readers are invited to contemplate their relationships with time, memory, and the narratives that shape their lives.
