Pic (novel)

Pic is a novel by American author Walker Percy, published in 1975. The story follows the life of Picard Byron, nicknamed "Pic," an uneducated, orphaned African-American youth from rural Louisiana.

The novel is told in a picaresque style, detailing Pic's journey through different environments as he seeks to understand the world and his place within it. His travels take him from the Louisiana backwoods to reform school, then to New York City, and eventually, to Europe. He learns about various aspects of American culture and language, often in a humorous and satirical manner, as he navigates the complexities of modern society.

A key element of the novel is Pic's struggle with language and communication. He encounters various forms of language, including slang, technical jargon, and foreign tongues, often misunderstanding or misinterpreting them. This highlights the themes of communication breakdown and the difficulty of finding meaning in a world saturated with information.

While humorous in many aspects, Pic also deals with serious themes of race, class, identity, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world. Through Pic's experiences, Percy explores the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in navigating modern society and the quest for belonging and understanding.