TC Boyle: The Addict sin dolor

TC Boyle is possibly everywhere. In the span of his 30+ year career, he's published eleven novels and more than 60 short stories. His everywhere-ness is a probable sign that TC Boyle has an addiction, to writing.
Be that as it may, his stint in this week’s New Yorker was one of the few enjoyments. T.C. Boyle's Sin Dolor is the story of exploitation and a young boy's extraordinary inability to feel physical pain. It’s told from the pint of view of a small town Mexican doctor who’s bored with the grotesque defects and mutations his patients face. A bit snobby, he finds his chance at medical fame through this medical marvel, Damaso. Even though his father brutally and very publicly exploits his son, the doctor lures the boy in with kindness and attention, aspects he can’t find at home, only to use him to boost his medical status.
The interesting thing about the story is that you can almost instantly tell how it might end, the probable path it’ll take. The story seems to fit into a perfect literary landscape. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good story.