dukegregory 's review for:

The Famished Road by Ben Okri

4.0

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Totally breaks open the novel as a form and decimates any conception of the form as inherently "Western" (stupid term that we need to do away with) and reminds you how insanely imagistic and colorful and alive prose can be, even if that means that Okri forfeits plot entirely and a bit of character depth in the process. Like Murakami's novels, I will remember this fondly, but I'll probably remember a few wisps of lasting images that Okri's metaphors conjured in my mind rather than anything more concrete. But that's fine. I consistently enjoyed this (although it 100% could've been edited down, bu that's neither here nor there). Cool that this won the Booker. It feels totally sui generis, and, because of that, is a tad challenging to be expected to win prizes, let alone the largest in the UK. It also took my mind off of my impending thesis deadlines while reading. A blessing. Good vibes all around.