Alder’s ‘Speedboat’ is a first-person narrative story about the life and experiences of Jen Fein. Jen views the world from a different perspective, and she helps the reader in her narrations to see the world similarly, but she hides her physicality. She presents the world as a bumpy-assortment of wreckage discernments. The reader realizes that Jen does not explain the narration as a personal story because she distances herself to aid the reader see the world as she sees it.
From the beginning of the story, Jen presents the prerequisite particulars of her life. She explains the conditions in which she grew and her career path. The narrator works as a newspaper reporter and extensively narrates about her career journey. Like any other young lady, she is quick to explain her expectations and realities in life. Jen does not consider herself an intellectual in New York, but an ordinary person who has lived several lifestyles and is still exploring more living ways. Jen describes the urban landscape and the hustles she went through to make her ends meet. Jen's journey reflects what many young people go through after graduating as they try to earn a living in urban areas. Jen goes ahead to explain her personal experiences in the Hamptons and other places such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and several other sites.
The novel 'Speedboat' is entirely about Jen's roaming life in urban areas to find a life-bearing. Jen reaches a point where she lets the things in life take shape as they wish because she does not find any meaning in forcing life to be the way she desires. Unfortunately, things do not take shape, and she realizes that she must wake and continue chasing her dreams without giving up. Jen ends up living several lives, none of which is gratifying. The novel tells Jen's struggles as she tries to find the best resolution for her life. However, the book ends without revealing whether Jen managed at last to live a good life.
