An interesting experiment in style. It reminded me a bit of an Angela Carter novel done as a prose poem. On the other hand, it seemed to be rather longer than it needed to be (though it can be easily read at one sitting), and for all its surreality, it was rather predictable. ( )

National Book finalist? Really? I've only recently noticed the presence of the National Book Award, and when I checked out the website, I realize I've read a few of the finalists and winners...and have really enjoyed them. I don't know what to make of this one.

I chose this book after reading Bynum's short story in Tin House's "Fantastic Women" issue. Plus it's, in part, about carnies, and really, who doesn't like stories about carnies? The style is creative--sort of "chapters" on just about every page--which should have equalled a quicker read, but I was surprised to find myself trudging along. It took some time to get used to the changing perspectives, and the characters never seemed fleshed out enough. I'm thinking this is possibly due to those short "chapters" along with some really annoying structural quirks (which it appears were entirely intentional). Like incomplete sentences. And, commas, in weird places. Normally I put a book down that bugs me this much, but I kept reading for the next oddity (of which there were many) and hoping for some revelation at the end. My hopes were left unfulfilled.

I need a little more realism now. ( )

This book wasn't at all what I had expected after reading some early reviews. ( )

I tried. But despite the fabulist nature of the book, I was bored and confused. Skipped out about 60% of the way through. ( )

I usually like experimentation novels, or ones that are lyrical and truly play around with prose. I like fantasy, and books that blur the line between dream and reality.

However, this one was disappointing. ( )