Man oh man, do I have a lot to process after reading this book.

Whether it's music or fiction, I've always loved the way Darnielle writes. I often find myself coming back to his songs when I want to feel things less deeply and awfully, and also feel less alone in the process. I think he's one of the most gifted writers of our age and he's a huge source of inspiration for me, both in a creative and personal sense.

This book took me completely by surprise. I read multiple reviews noting his disjointed writing style, lack of a consistent narrator, and overall jumpy plot with no real resolution. After finishing this book, I can definitely agree that there wasn't a very linear structure to the plot, and perspective shifted multiple times (mostly within a single chapter), and it was hard to keep track of whose story you were reading. While that's made me put down other books, I kept on reading this one until the last page, and wasn't all dissatisfied with the lack of closure. After all, it's human to not find all the answers you're looking for.