431 pages
English language
Published Nov. 5, 2017
"The wildly imaginative story of one man's thrilling odyssey through an enchanted world to find his wife, who has disappeared after having seemingly committed an unforgivable act of violence, from the award-winning author of The Devil in Silver and Big Machine"--
"Apollo Kagwa has had strange dreams that have haunted him since childhood. An antiquarian book dealer with a business called Improbabilia, he is just beginning to settle into his new life as a committed and involved father, unlike his own father who abandoned him, when his wife Emma begins acting strange. Disconnected and uninterested in their new baby boy, Emma at first seems to be exhibiting all the signs of post-partum depression, but it quickly becomes clear that her troubles go far beyond that. Before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act--beyond any parent's comprehension--and vanishes, seemingly into thin air. Thus begins Apollo's odyssey through …
"The wildly imaginative story of one man's thrilling odyssey through an enchanted world to find his wife, who has disappeared after having seemingly committed an unforgivable act of violence, from the award-winning author of The Devil in Silver and Big Machine"--
"Apollo Kagwa has had strange dreams that have haunted him since childhood. An antiquarian book dealer with a business called Improbabilia, he is just beginning to settle into his new life as a committed and involved father, unlike his own father who abandoned him, when his wife Emma begins acting strange. Disconnected and uninterested in their new baby boy, Emma at first seems to be exhibiting all the signs of post-partum depression, but it quickly becomes clear that her troubles go far beyond that. Before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act--beyond any parent's comprehension--and vanishes, seemingly into thin air. Thus begins Apollo's odyssey through a world he only thought he understood to find a wife and child who are nothing like he'd imagined. His quest begins when he meets a mysterious stranger who claims to have information about Emma's whereabouts. Apollo then begins a journey that takes him to a forgotten island in the East River of New York City, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest in Queens where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever. This dizzying tale is ultimately a story about family and the unfathomable secrets of the people we love"--
Interesting... maybe it was not the moment to read this. Although it certainly it ends way better that it starts.
I hate DNFing books I’ve given a lot of time to, and I hate DNFing books by authors I’ve enjoyed. Sigh!!
I got almost halfway in this one. I enjoyed the beginning, then we got sucked into baby land, and as someone who is not into babies, I found it cringey and boring. I almost DNFed at that point. Then something dramatic happens, and I thought ok, from here on out it’ll be different! And it was, but other things were frustrating me…
I saw one reviewer note how Millennial this book is, and as a Millennial - yes. LaValle is actually Gen X but that’s the vibe. And it’s cringey. The more Facebook was specifically named and played a role in the story I was like, please stop!!
Well, that sure escalated.
I didn't love or hate this book, mostly I'm confused about how to digest it. It feels like there were pieces of multiple stories in here, mixed together seemingly at random in an effort to keep things unbalanced.
Sometimes scene changes move the story from relatable to completely off the rails without warning, and in some cases it's effective. More often I found myself asking "What the heck am I reading?" though. I'm still not sure how to answer.
An excellent, clever, literary novel about modern fairy tales and fatherhood.
This novel is a masterclass in using fairy tale themes, and explains to me why so many gritty re-imaginings of fairy tales feel so hollow. This book actually has something to say other than 'remember that shit you liked when you were a kid? We're reheating it because you're an ADULT now!'
It's so clever. That's the thing I can't get over. The way it writes magic, the way it comments on modernity, the way it ties history to the present, is so clever and masterful. This book is the work of a truly excellent author, to the point where its flourishes and victories look effortless.
3.5 stars. A creepy, supernatural fairy tale that kept me turning the pages. It's not a perfect novel, but it's entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the juxtaposition of familiar landmarks with fantastic things. I have a feeling that it'll stick with me for a while. These are some random thoughts I jotted down as I read this book:
Books are a source of magic. Modern technology is a gateway to magic. There are no differences between old gods and new, old myths and new, archetypes bind us as they always have.
There are transactions that you make without being aware of their deeper significance.
You create your own magic and wonder, but you also create your own monsters.
