A review by kentanapages
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I keep reading reviews in which people complain about this book overusing rhythmic prose, having too much happening in every paragraph, being too intense.  I believe the intensity throughout the book was part of the point. Not everyone has the privilege of living lives that are mainly even-keel with occasional intense peaks where life feels this ripped open. The constant rawness, the constant survival, what that does physically to one’s body and cortisone levels, comes through in this telling in a way that coveys the truth. The prose is beautiful but painful, the physicality of it is felt in the reader’s own body.  It’s an emotionally exhausting read as a result, and I think it should be.