Ill will

The longer I sit on it the more I lean towards giving it 5 stars — my only problem with this book, which I found to be engagingly written, structurally interesting in an unaffected, cinematic way, and complex in its treatment of the genre, was the extent of Dustin's delusion which would at times really beggar belief. Then again, I know so many people who are just as easily fooled by ostensible lack of randomness. Psychologists should know better though, right?

Also, the amount of creepy in this book is... wow. The author's been generous with it (saltbae.gif). I wouldn't quite call the book scary, but its horrors are all too relatable. The characters could've been saved from so much trouble if they only talked to each other! But they're human so they can't!! Because communicating is fucking hard. And Chaon is really good at writing familial dysfunction of the common sort, just as good as he is at making you feel the choke of the character who is trying and failing to form a response in a situation where a thoughtful response could immediately turn that character around on his path towards BAD SHIT.

Actually I'm taking a star off because I really wanted to read Jill's therapist's letter in full, I mean COME ON CHAON, YOU CAN'T TEASE US LIKE THAT).