Ben, in the World

About “Ben, in the World”

Ben Lovatt feels out of place everywhere he goes. He is seen as awkward, overly large, and strange, causing others to fear or misunderstand him. His mother once locked him up but later let him go, but her intense love disrupted the family, especially since he was the fifth child. As he grows up, he remains confused and isolated, searching for acceptance in the eyes of others. He meets people who either fear him, use him, or occasionally show kindness. He travels to the south of France, Brazil, and the Andes, where he finally uncovers his origins and learns about the people he belongs to. The novel explores his struggle to fit in and his journey to self-discovery.