A review by timtellsstories
The Sense of Wonder by Matthew Salesses

4.0

I teetered between three and four stars on this one. I had a few issues with it, but upon some reflection and good-faith granting, I think most of those issues are more mine and that I'm not really the intended reader Salesses had in mind. For a book that doesn't pull its punches in the condemnation of racism (not surprising if you're familiar with Salesses), it's easy and enjoyable to read. The narrative is interesting with some characters that are insightful and forthcoming with their thoughts and emotions and others that are more mysterious and closed off to you. I really wish Salesses had cut the final couple of lines, but if I'm being fair, that might be my only criticism of it that I'd go to bat for. I can't really fault a novel for stumbling at the end after doing a lot of other interesting stuff. It's a solid book that investigates an aspect of race in America we don't talk enough about, and it doesn't neglect to tell a good story.