A review by jonathanwlodarski
Exes by Max Winter

5.0

What a kaleidoscopic, telescopic novel. Winter melds form with story in a way that transcends its gimmick to feel organic--in the past, I've spoken out against the 800-page novel that tries to encompass everything, but here's a novel that manages to do it in only 210. That alone should be praise enough to convince you to buy a copy for you and ten for your friends: its specificity, its universality, is astounding. Written across more than a half-dozen perspectives, each of which feel inhabited and authentic, the story feels staccato and legato and fluid and breakneck all at the same time. This is the kind of novel that captivates the mind and becomes a staple of craft/theory coursework. Bravo, Max Winter. I'm watching you.

My rating: 5/5