Damn is this good writing at least to me (please don't look at it or me as some 1930's dressed oil Barron or editor amazed at how good the writing is with a cigar hanging out of my mouth wondering how much go can make of of it)
The book is similar to the author's previous book that I read THE LOVE SONG OF JOHNNY VALENTINE, though eventually goes way darker which is what threw me off. As that book was cynical and dealt in a certain reality but seemed a young adult book for adults. The same here except this is a lot more intense.
Even when the book first starts out it seems more like a racy young adult book but a sit goes along it becomes More adult and a bit more tawdry.
You could call the book a slow burn. Though the way I see it is more like watching someone cook. You watch as they put all the ingredients together see how they mix and mingle. The see what happens as heat is added and they are put under pressure. The boil, broil, sizzle, fry. As they are prepared and seem to shed excess and their true inside are out and exposed. That is what tantalizes is. Of course unless you are a vegan or raw food eater. The. Maybe go back to the slow burn Description.
It starts off simple enough where it seems like another tale of smart, over educated young man experiencing college and developing a crush. On a popular beautiful student though as it develops into an obsession. At first you wince as he doesn't seem to read the signs she isn't really interested and might be using him. But then as his intensity grows it truly starts to worry you as at first one can identify with him. Then It feels more so wild that you find yourself getting concerned for all involved. As the book is humorous at first. The shifts are more shocking, you expect only heartbreak, though seems like it might be headed to tragedy.
Even by the end it seems like an overzealous nature of all the characters lead to this.
Though the lead character makes us feel bad. As we have been taken in and fooled by him. His actions at the end are shocking and even with his reasoning still doesn't excuse it, it the book. Bears a cynical view as much as the mentality of the character.
I will say that by the end it leaves you shocked.
Like a punch to the gut out of nowhere. I'm not sad or mad that I read it. Though will admit it leaves you down and affected a bit. Sort of like finding out that person you thought you knew. Did a horrible crime and wondering. Where that came from. Thought here it is explained. Though still allows for twists and turns.
It's smarter then it's simplistic surroundings.
Though I don't know if it's correct or just thought provoking. It doesn't feel like a trick as the story goes it's natural course. It's just the ending aspect the nastiness while hinted at lightly comes out In Full force I guess just as the character's feeling and obsession has been building until he feels he has to act.
I can't lie the book kept me captivated and held my interest throughout. Here was no point where I felt bored or that any piece or information was not needed or distracting.
Maybe it disturbed me as at first the character was identifiable. So that once he started going off the road. It felt so disturbing and personal.
SPOILERS
The ending also leaves a bad taste as it makes it feel as if while admitting guilt that he gets away with it and that it’s not really all his fault, but the fault of the girl. While she was misguided i don’t know if all the blame can be put on her. It’s easy to maybe label the book misogynistic. Though then you realize that this book is written purely in the characters voice and point of view. So of course it is biased and then actually makes the innocent character in the middle of the tale. really one of the only decent ones.
It might remind some of the movie THE SHAPE OF THINGS, and the books of Chad Kultgen especially his book THE LIE. Though this doesn't feel quite as mean spirited until the end.
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