Dark, deep, detailed

I had a hard time getting through this book, however it does pay off, and I think my struggle was a matter of personal preference, and not a reflection of quality.

First, a note on what’s this book did brilliantly. It was inarguably well written, often lyrical without being long winded, and the philosophising about the meaning of life, creation, afterlife, karma, forgiveness, and purpose, though nihilist leaning, were spectacular. The fantasy descriptions of the ghost world were very creative.

My complaints for this book are two fold. One: content was often nightmarish and gruesome. Like really really gruesome. The imagery of demons and suicide ghosts had nothing on the very detailed, recurring and stomach churning descriptions of war zones, government torture rooms, and the dismemberment and rotting of persons the government made disappear for poking into authorised massacres. Things like this are so important to read, especially when there are nations who will ban critical works like this, but it doesn’t make it easier to read.

My second complaint, the matter of personal preference, was that it took a long time to connect with the main character, and I need that to really love a book. That being said, this emotional distance was actually what made Maali more realistic because it could reflect his sort of begrudging nihilism. Maali felt to me like he was always on the cusp of caring. He doesn’t hold many things dear, and he doesn’t treat the things I holds dear with much care, but he’s also unconsciously doing this as a way to cope with his own traumas. He’s not angry, depressed, bitter, or drowning in PTSD, which he could be, but he’s also not overcome with good decisions or good intentions. He has access to promote social justice and the opportunity to create a life with his lover, but he seems most comfortable with stagnancy. I had a hard time with his apathy and that he’s kind of a loser on paper, but it’s also a completely understandable and subtle PTSD. Everything around him is corrupt and heartbreaking. He struggles with his sexuality, money, family abandonment, and the oppressive violence he has front row seats to.

Merci. Votre vote a été pris en compte.

Vous avez donné votre avis sur cette évaluation !

1 personne a trouvé cela utile