Sunday, August 29, 2010

C, by Tom McCarthy

Okay. This isn't really a review, because this is a book that absolutely demands a second reading; once you get to the end you absolutely have to go back and read it again. I finished this book in the wee small hours of Saturday morning (probably around 3 a.m.) and was so stunned at the ending (in a positive way) that I couldn't go to sleep. I just kept laying there thinking about what I'd just read, trying to tie things together in my head. Then I decided I had to go back and do it again.  Personally speaking, the immediate reread of a novel is a relatively rare occurrence -- so that should tell you something.

What I will say for now is that C is a brilliant piece of writing that I hope will at least make the shortlist because it's that good. It's beyond good.  It has its down moments, but these are quickly forgotten as the story hits its stride and heads toward one of the best endings I've ever encountered in a novel. So -- more later this week after I've finished it again.

1 comment:

Say what you will, but at least try to be nice about it.