Saturday, October 31, 2009
DON'T STOP, KEEP ON GOING
It is rare for me to finish reading a novel and then wish that it was not over.
I have had this sensation for two days about
I put it down last night and it is still resonating with me.
Mostly I miss the short episodes of the long story. Quite satisfying in themselves.
The writing is Grade A and the concept of the book is totally enagaging. I would pick the book up and in one short sitting could have a complete and satisfying trip to another world.
Grossman has managed to take the fantasy genré by the scruff of the neck and shake it around, turn it upside down and bring it into the 21st century.
The young hero or anti-hero is Quentin Coldwater. Right there you have an idea of what will be going on. What's in a name? A disaffected, bored, overachieving young adult finds that an interview for acceptance to Princeton has quite a different outcome than he might ever have expected. And he has a very lively imagination.
I think what is really very skillful in this book is that Grossman has been able to incorporate some of the best elements and clichés of fantasy fiction and put them into very fresh contemporary terms. Quentin is angst filled, purposeless and finds little satisfaction in his considerable talents. Others are more appreciative of him than he is of himself. Here is a character to ache for. To hope for his self realization and "coming of age".
Once he starts that interview for Princeton, he is on his way. Magic portals and all. Every gimmick you remember from reading this stuff, and I have read a lot, is here in a funny, often hilarious and sometimes scary and upsetting potpourri.
I have not been reporting on my reading for quite awhile. Somehow, writing about reading hasn't seemed as interesting or germane as writing about life.
But this case is an exception. The story is not done in my head. I am going back and finding cues and clues. I know that I will read this again in the not too distant future. And enjoy it even more.
Maybe Grossman will adopt another familiar fantasy fiction strategy and make a series out of this.
I certainly hope so.
Labels: books
