This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I liked it just as much as his other one. Something about his writing style just hits the right vibe for me. The writing is clever and full of humor, but it doesn’t shy away from sadness and poignant moments.
This book pokes fun at just about everything – sometimes so extensively that I was starting to feel like the joke was wearing thin. I imagine that for some readers it might be a little much. Especially there are some characters that are cursed with overthinking situations, and the way their inner monologues were spinning out of control or sliding down a slope sometimes went on and on.
The plot of the book jumps between different characters and timelines, and while there is a risk of doing this poorly I felt like it was executed well. The storytelling is excellent – we learn about these characters slowly and more deeply. I learned a great deal about Chicago in the 60s – a subject I had almost no knowledge about. This turning point event is contrasted with Occupy Wall Street which was happening around the time that this book was written. I’m curious about what the author might think about the current political climate in America.
It was a pleasure to read this book. While it was a little long, it was certainly worth the journey. And to think it is the author’s debut novel – wow!
Next I am reading A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko.
