The Next Great Paulie Fink

Storytelling figures prominently in The Next Great Paulie Fink. From the beginning, the unexplained disappearance of Paulie Fink serves as the catalyst for storytelling, with characters using stories to remember their friend and make peace with his disappearance. The competition presents unique storytelling opportunities as Caitlyn strives to better understand Paulie through the collective memory. The powers of storytelling are on full display as the Originals, guided by Caitlyn, craft their narratives of the larger-than-life character. Meanwhile, the parables Caitlyn shares with Fuzzy emphasize the moral dimensions of storytelling, shaping perspectives and guiding the listener toward becoming a better version of themselves. 

The thematic exploration of the power and limitations of storytelling becomes increasingly nuanced as the search for the next Paulie unfolds. Gabby’s obsession with Megastar deepens the exploration of storytelling. Her unwavering belief in the constructed narrative of a pop star’s life parallels the community’s initial perception of Paulie, highlighting the impact of dramatized stories on shaping identities. However, as the competition progresses, Gabby’s realization that Megastar’s stories may not be entirely authentic mirrors the students’ evolving understanding of Paulie and his disappearance.

A tension between the constructed legend and the reality of the individual emerges during the climax of the novel. Paulie’s return forces the Originals to confront the way their stories have turned him into a mythical character who bears little resemblance to the “ordinary” boy in front of them. The limitations of storytelling are further illuminated by Paulie’s own stories in the denouement; his letter to the reader about his heritage and struggle to fit in at various schools across the country underscores the challenge of capturing the complexities of human identity through narratives. The fact that Paulie presents his background in the form of competing personal myths, from the “loser” in fourth grade to the “god of chaos” (345), centers the subjectivity inherent in personal narratives. Paulie’s insistence that the stories are all true reinforces the idea that storytelling, while powerful, remains a subjective interpretation of reality.

The theme reaches its zenith as Caitlyn names the winner of the competition. Her selection of the goat as Paulie’s chosen successor challenges expectations, emphasizing the unpredictable and subjective nature of narratives. The resolution of the competition reflects an understanding that storytelling, while powerful, cannot fully encapsulate the essence of an individual—just as the news outlet in Mitchell failed to do when reporting on the school.

The novel weaves the theme of storytelling throughout its narrative, using the search for the next great Paulie as a lens to explore the dynamic interplay between the power and limitations of storytelling within a close-knit community. Through the lens of Caitlyn’s competition and the characters’ diverse narratives, the novel explores how stories shape identities, challenge preconceptions, and offer a lens through which individuals can reinterpret their roles within a community.