Zack Busner

Zack Busner is a recurring character in the fiction of Will Self, appearing in the short story collections "The Quantity Theory of Insanity", "Grey Area", "Dr. Mukti and Other Tales of Woe", and in the novels "Great Apes" and "The Book of Dave".

Appearances

As one can never tell if Self intends there to be a coherent storyline, piecing together a backstory for Dr. Busner can be exceedingly difficult. In the story "Inclusion", he is seemingly absorbed by the character Simon Dykes. While some might consider this the end of Busner, he reappears again in "Great Apes".

Employment & Characteristics

He apparently holds an institutional position in the stories "Dr. Mutki" and "Ward 9". Because his previous work is referenced throughout the latter, it can be safely assumed that these events take place after "The Quantity Theory of Insanity".

Busner has also lectured for the Royal Society of Ephemera and has written numerous pieces for their "British Journal of Ephemera." It was in this publication that "The Quantity Theory of Insanity" was first published.

Despite his age and failing health in "Dr. Mukti" he still provides a formidable opponent to the eponymous character. He is shown to be able to not only accuratly predict peoples behaviour but to use this along with manipulation to ensure his preferred outcome.

Inspiration

Busner is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst practicing in London, and is prone to self-promotion at the expense of his patients. He is often the antagonist of the stories he appears in, although not always with villainous intent. It has been suggested that the character is based on the psychiatrist R. D. Laing [ [http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/english/21st-century/cj_lee.htm R.D. Laing] ] and the neurologist Oliver Sacks [ [http://www.theedge.abelgratis.co.uk/booksns/greatapes.htm Great Apes and Oliver Sacks] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.will-self.com Official Will Self site]
*imdb name|id=1107102|name=Will Self