The Cabinet

I feel like this book would satisfy a handful of diverse readers: those who are fans of Wes Anderson films; those who find enjoyment in the mundane aspects of the popular anime, Mob Psycho 100; and those who like slice-of-life stories following peculiar individuals, to name a few. The majority of this book follows the everyday life of a curator, of sorts, as he interviews and follows the lives of these symptomers, or people in the early stages of the next evolution of mankind. Think low-level mutants a la Marvel Comics' X-Men.

The best parts of the book come from its relaxed writing style as well as the personality that oozes from the pages. While the narrator/protagonist does not have much characterization, you definitely get a sense of his personality and feelings towards his occupation. The book is funny, thought-provoking, strange, and heartfelt all wrapped in a tight 300 pages. Its concise style makes for an easy read that would befit any setting, from a late night read before bed, to a midday read during lunch, to a late afternoon visit to the park. At some point, you no longer feel like a reader, but instead an observer of these people and how their “symptoms” impact their lives and our protagonist.

Towards the end of the story, there is a semblance of a plot that starts to brew, but it unfortunately does not get enough time to properly offer anything substantial to the story as whole. It would've served the book much better if these plot threads were spread out throughout the book, leading to the appropriate climax that would allow the book to come full circle.

In the end, the positives outweigh the negatives here. The Cabinet is a fun and relaxing read that is sure to find fans as the years go on, and already feels like a classic in the making.