Abby Quillen

The Garden of Dead Dreams is a slow, languishing book of characters talking about writing. Discussing writing. Theorizing about writing. Long, loving, sleep-inducing chapters about writing. There's a missing roommate, a dead body, a missing manuscript, no less than two illegitimate children, and a half dozen other twists and turns - as if the author wanted to add in everything and a few dozen kitchen sinks to one story. And then another plot twist.

On the positive side, events play out in a logical manner and the side characters act and react according to their own motives, not to any contrived plot. The writing is clean, with a few awkward phrases here and there, but nothing that takes the reader out of the story.

However, it took me far too long to finish this book. It was a slow, tedious plodding story with a main character - Etta - who was the most boring I-guy personality. She was a passive witness through much of the story, reacting and thinking and introspecting and pondering for long periods of time. There were a few scenes of agency, such as the daring fall out a window, but other than that she just thought to herself a lot.

I would not read this book again. I do not recommend it to anyone.… (meer)

Actually one of the best books I have read this year. It was a surprise...a literary mystery that slowly unfurled and encompassed a bit of American history as well; albeit, not a period Americans are proud of today. This is very well written, and I am reminded of the sign I recently saw in a bookstore's window: "I'm going to clean the house now...ooh, look, a book." This novel was engrossing and compelling and beautifully written. All of my plans fell by the wayside. The prose was lovely and the author made it seem effortless, never forced. Just enough was revealed about the characters to make me want to know more, but I was never bored with unnecessary minutiae. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
A copy was received in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)