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The mesmerizing "New York Times "bestseller by the author of "Night Film" Marisha Pessl's dazzling debut sparked raves from critics and heralded the arrival of a vibrant new voice in American fiction. At the center of "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" is clever, deadpan Blue van Meer, who has a head full of literary, philosophical, scientific, and cinematic knowledge. But she could use some friends. Upon entering the elite St. Gallway School, she finds some--a clique of eccentrics known as the Bluebloods. One drowning and one hanging later, Blue finds herself puzzling out a byzantine murder mystery. Nabokov meets Donna Tartt (then invites the rest of the Western Canon to the party) in this novel--with visual aids drawn by the author--that has won over readers of all ages.
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http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_highbrow/2006/12/precocious_realism.html
Meghan O'Rourke explained in Slate (with much better writing and clearer thought) why I have absolutely no interest in finishing this book. I made it to page 220, but the ~20 needless (and occasionally nonsensical) similes per page sure made it feel like I read at least 600 pages.