I got this book as a present almost a year ago. I tried to read it twice. Don’t make too much of that. I haven’t had a lot of patience this year.
It’s a short little thing, but in a way, the story is even shorter. It seems to be a short story that’s stretched out to a small novel. The extra time goes into a very detailed description of the setting and of the thought processes of the narrator.
For me, the book survives purely on the narrator’s voice. He’s so positive and optimistic. He’s in a situation that could throw another person into the deepest depths of depression (and has), but the main character spouts joy with every paragraph. His positivity seems sometimes refreshing, sometimes psychotic but always infectious.
The setting is gorgeously detailed, and I wanted to see it. (It would be a great subject for a VR experience).
The plot is very short and simple. I could lay it out in a couple paragraphs. There are a lot of details that aren’t fleshed out, but this seems true to the character’s life, and the world seems consistent as it’s presented.
If you’re reading this, have patience, relax and listen. It’s the voice and not the events that will, ultimately carry the story.
