Aamer Hussein

I wanted very much to like this novel. At the sentence level, the author demonstrates style and verve in prose. And there are passages in the novel--in particular in the beginning chapters--that engaged me and kept me focused.

But as a novel, the entire piece doesn't hang together enough for me. Even if it were considered a novel-in-stories, or story cycle, or fragmented novel, the entire piece doesn't quite hit with me. I think this is the case because the main characters are not very interesting nor very likable characters. I wanted to empathize with the characters--mostly because they are interested in poetry, literature, and the university--but find myself completely neutral and uninterested in their fates. And yet, they are not unappealing enough that I am rooting for their demises, which can be a way to craft characters and provoke an anti-empathy, if you will, in the reader and lead to a great story or novel.

The most interesting characters appear on the first few pages and then totally disappear. For example, I would have liked to hear the tale of the aunt with no children--what was her story--why did she scare her young nephew?… (meer)