A review by zj5
Big Machine by Victor LaValle

3.0

I liked a lot of this book but thought the plot was kind of muddled. It felt like the culmination of something else. Like the season finale of a show where I didn't see the first 11 episodes. It's not bad and it's not confusing, it just felt like there should have been more lead up. I did like Ricky and Adele and their backstories were fascinating, though Adele's was maybe not given the attention it deserved. I would have liked to see her promoted to POV character. It is maybe the first book I've read with a positive portrayal of a cult. Well, sort of. LaValle is as funny and poignant as ever and he has some neat ideas about faith and class and the importance of not ignoring the disenfranchised among us.