Nicola Barker’s purpose is otherwise. Her cast of characters includes hapless Beede, a hospital laundry supervisor, and his son, Kane, who deals drugs to a highly receptive clientele.

Nicola Barker's smart, rude novel "Darkmans" is part Zadie Smith and part David Foster Wallace -- with just a dash of Stephen King. By Laura Miller. Published January 3, 2008 11:50AM (EST) -- ...