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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
At first I wanted to keep reading this book so I could figure out what it was about, and then I wanted to keep reading it so it could end.
Good in theory, some really interesting themes and concepts, but actually not really that great to read.
Good in theory, some really interesting themes and concepts, but actually not really that great to read.
"Because life, like a wire, requires tension on both ends. You care to live and someone else cares that you live."
I picked this up on a whim at the library and what a little gem it turned out to be (as most books put out by Two Dollar Radio are). Incredibly taut with a wonderfully pervasive sense of melancholy and impending doom. I felt a vague discomfort throughout as if bracing myself in advance despite eagerly turning each page. It's not a thriller or outright mystery, although it has subtle elements of both, but traffics heavily in the exploration of guilt and loss against the backdrop of African countries reluctantly playing host to white tourists, accidental emigrants, missionaries, and a lead character set adrift by tragedy and divorce.
Kirkus Reviews blurbs this novel as "a propulsive literary thriller", but I would place it in a different class—the travel novel, and in particular, pilgrimages: journeys to wreak justice; journeys in which lose oneself; journeys to find redemption; journeys to throw one's fate to the gods. This particular novel encompasses all of these, and its pages are filled with ghosts of children; ghosts of dogs; sunrises and sunsets freighted with horror; the warmth of random kindnesses and the chill of incurable furies. And the last paragraphs, distant but irrefutable echoes of John Donne, may comprise the scariest ending I've read in a long time.
It hard what to make of this book. The stories tend to be exaggerated. The main character almost feels like a cliche. The other are more real.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book really caught me off guard and I couldn’t put the book down!
My rating are on a bell curve, and in this case I was impressed by the high quality of this book from a relatively unknown writer. The writing started out as a bit precious but over the pages I can to appreciate its brilliance. The story is truly engaging and I loved every page. Loved this book!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes