lensho

This book is dazzlingly pretty, and has the best kind of poeticism to it. It is even better than his first novel. But beyond the brilliant ideas, there's little cohesion and it's not all that relatable. The ending is unspeakably disappointing. edit: I re-read this in February 2010, in Austria. The thing is, it's incredibly engaging, intelligent, beautiful, emotional. A lot of heart shines through the flashiness and literary trickery, too. But somehow it just doesn't add up to a satisfying whole for me. I can't explain it. I loved reading it, and then by the end of it I feel unsatisfied. The chapter about the bombing of Dresden is particularly amazing. The book is definitely worth reading. And yet, I want more than this. Especially from such a clearly brilliant writer. It's like he can write scenes and characters and all that, and brilliantly, but he can't write a whole novel.

2022-11-14 13:32