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A review by ethancf
The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Vol. 2: Empire Decayed by Daniel Kraus
5.0
We’ve all read this kind of review – the one that hyperbolizes, fanboys, laments how there are no words for how the book made them feel or to accurately describe its quality.
But those books, as fantastic as they may be, feel utterly common when placed next to Empire Decayed. To witness this achievement, began in book 1, is nothing short of miraculous. Even the word sublime does little to convey its effectiveness. Is there a word that means the same, but indicates a darker connotation, a heartwrenching, emotionally draining work? All of our best words are clichés, now: masterpiece, flawless, tour-de-force, and even without being clichés they are not enough for this.
Know this:
• It’s very different from book one. Things move by quicker, but with good reason, and this fits the shift in historical focus. I may have liked the setting of book one more, but both are equally good for different reasons.
• This is powerful. This is relevant. This feels important now more than ever. Zebulon’s character progression is truly complete here, and at its climax is one of the most emotionally involving pieces of literature that I’ve ever read.
• Kraus’ prose, as always, is magnificent. You should really read all of his books, but to better appreciate this one, at least read Scowler first.
• To further appreciate Empire Decayed, follow these instructions from the author himself:
o Make sure you have over an hour of uninterrupted reading time to finish the last two chapters.
o Cue up the track “dlp 1.1” from the album The Disintegration Loops by William Basinski. The song is one hour and three minutes long.
o Start the track when you begin Section 12, Chapter 12. When you finish that chapter, continue to the epilogue.
o Read the epilogue slowly. Understand what you can.
o When you finish, the music will still be playing. Close your eyes until it is finished.
It’s a huge commitment to read both of these novels: they’re difficult and lengthy. But it is absolutely worth it, their quality is beyond description, their power beyond what we’ve come to expect from books with the YA label.
But those books, as fantastic as they may be, feel utterly common when placed next to Empire Decayed. To witness this achievement, began in book 1, is nothing short of miraculous. Even the word sublime does little to convey its effectiveness. Is there a word that means the same, but indicates a darker connotation, a heartwrenching, emotionally draining work? All of our best words are clichés, now: masterpiece, flawless, tour-de-force, and even without being clichés they are not enough for this.
Know this:
• It’s very different from book one. Things move by quicker, but with good reason, and this fits the shift in historical focus. I may have liked the setting of book one more, but both are equally good for different reasons.
• This is powerful. This is relevant. This feels important now more than ever. Zebulon’s character progression is truly complete here, and at its climax is one of the most emotionally involving pieces of literature that I’ve ever read.
• Kraus’ prose, as always, is magnificent. You should really read all of his books, but to better appreciate this one, at least read Scowler first.
• To further appreciate Empire Decayed, follow these instructions from the author himself:
o Make sure you have over an hour of uninterrupted reading time to finish the last two chapters.
o Cue up the track “dlp 1.1” from the album The Disintegration Loops by William Basinski. The song is one hour and three minutes long.
o Start the track when you begin Section 12, Chapter 12. When you finish that chapter, continue to the epilogue.
o Read the epilogue slowly. Understand what you can.
o When you finish, the music will still be playing. Close your eyes until it is finished.
It’s a huge commitment to read both of these novels: they’re difficult and lengthy. But it is absolutely worth it, their quality is beyond description, their power beyond what we’ve come to expect from books with the YA label.