Continental Drift (novel)

Continental Drift is a 1986 novel by American author Russell Banks. It explores themes of economic hardship, cultural displacement, and the American Dream, focusing on two intertwined narratives. One follows Bob Dubois, a working-class oil burner repairman from New Hampshire who, facing financial strain and dissatisfaction, abandons his family and moves to Florida in pursuit of a better life. The other strand focuses on Angele, a young Haitian woman seeking to escape poverty and violence in her homeland. She attempts to immigrate illegally to the United States via Florida, mirroring Dubois' own journey south.

The novel's title alludes to the geological theory of continental drift, serving as a metaphor for the shifting social and economic landscapes that influence the characters' lives. The characters are adrift, pulled by forces beyond their control, and their individual journeys contribute to a larger picture of social fragmentation and inequality. Banks uses stark realism to depict the characters' struggles, exploring the harsh realities of poverty, prejudice, and the often-illusory nature of upward mobility. Continental Drift is considered a significant work of late 20th-century American literature, praised for its unflinching portrayal of the human condition and its exploration of complex social issues.