Hey! I read that.
I read Special Topics in Calamity Physics a little over a month ago as part of a three-week whirlwind of reading. I found the book very well-written, if prone to overuse of odd metaphors. Despite its positives, the entire book was kind of pretentious, constantly solidfying my own poor self-image, for, unlike the story’s protagonist, and presumably Mrs. Pessl herself, I hadn’t digested the entire Western canon by age 17. The main character—in fact, any character—wasn’t particularly likeable. What can you do, right? The novel’s prose still kicked my ass. If I could write that well [and was an attractive young female], maybe I’d get a huge book advance, too.
Coming soon: Best of 2006 Lists. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for these since last year.
I’ll be back in NY on December 20.
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