Palaces

(this is from Andrew... on Jennifer's account--she's my wife) Years ago, this author was in my 11th grade English class... Though that really shouldn't affect other readers, it's relevant to my rating--I'm definitely biased and supportie but am also trying to be honest. This book is written extremely well, sophisticated. The psychological aspects and thought processes of the main character are creepy and very , very dark. The novel is a mix of serious/mature dystopian ideas and an unsettling existentialism. I am particularly impressed with the emotional sluggishness of John and his often inability to communicate his feelings to Joey--these are very good depictions of how people fail to talk and explain themselves in real life. However, this book often becomes challenging and dense. I don't necessarily mean to condemn the book for being hard, but this feature will turn some readers off (it takes some heavy duty concentration, which, I think, we humans need to do more of). Congratulations Simon--this is an impressive book.

Waiting for an explanation, made no sense...boring

No idea whatsoever. Ended up skimming most of it, seemingly all stream-of-conscious nonsense. I must be too old to get it.

I loved this book - A gorgeously written, strange and unnerving apocalyptic novel.