A very disturbing book. Not just because of the copious amounts of heartbreak (not to mention the incest angle) but also for the tone and texture of the very narrative. As I read this book, it felt like I was in a universe set within a charcoal painting. If you are curious, look up this artist's - Ajay De - work and you will get the backdrop I am trying to explain. However, what I would like to bring to your attention is the skillful infusion of this texture to the narrative that amazes me; the scene where Daniel notices the scary dude on the street, his eyes illuminated by the cigarette, the early morning walk to the cemetery of books, the time when the same scary dude walks up to him and makes that offer. Beautiful! a work of a very skilled artist. I am impressed. Amongst the maze of stories the author stitches, the father son bonding was refreshing to read about and the love angle with Clara although a key but small piece in the plot does absorb you in its pain of innocent betrayal. However, betrayal and heartbreak at every twist in the story does become overbearing at times and the effect tends to linger around the reader for days after finishing the book. May not be so for folks who live and breath this genre but for an occasional visitor like me (an action-thriller fan) it does feel like it. Overall, a masterpiece that ought to be a classic nonetheless. An experience not be missed. Totally worth your time and money (which implies you to buy the book and not rent it or borrow as this is a contribution to literature that should be rewarded amply to encourage more from the author).
