This is the first book in a long time, perhaps ever, that I am going to give up on halfway through. It’s direct and bizarre, and I have enjoyed those aspects so far but I just can’t seem to ‘anchor’myself in the book. The events are shocking but so random that it makes them meaningless. I don’t understand the protagonist; he seems completely devoid of feeling although the children are believable. Having read reviews I know how things pan out and the ending seems very mushy which jars against the dramatic opening of the book.

I don’t think this book is worse than others I’ve persevered with; I just feel differently about books now that I’ve stopped going to the book group. I just don’t feel obligated to finish books anymore. A lot of the pleasure of reading, for me, comes from reading precisely what I’m in the mood for.