A review by kiramke
Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis

4.0

Aridjis' writing is dreamy in a way that I love, not quite surreal, certainly not magical realist, just... lulling the way that waves can be, if not for our protagonist.  Mexico City is a star character in this story, and I'm a bit biased as I delighted in recognizing particular building characters as neighbors in my chosen adopted neighborhood in DF.  I also greatly appreciate the reclamation of the bildungsroman, and how deftly literary reference and approachability were interwoven.  I do think both the narrative and development lost a little cohesion towards the end, but it might be that world events changed my ability to immerse myself in the feeling of the story.  Still enjoyed it and will look for more from this author.