In the novel "The Eye of a Fly," voice, anatomy, and character are given to something that can't be named here without spoiling the main plot. But a thoughtful reader will understand what's at stake within the first few pages. We become accustomed to this passive presence, but in Melamed, it's a toxic and domineering companion, interfering in everything from sex to geopolitics, lying, manipulating, comforting, and tormenting. Melamed writes like a painter: easily, economically, and aggressively, shifting registers, speeds, and optics. This is a text you can read in an hour—and then immediately start over.