The People of Paper

Criticims of this book often are that the novel is too high on substance rather than content. Frankly, I find this a rather redundant viewpoint.

Plascencia's style allows the substance of the novel to be explored in an unconventional and different way. The baby Nostradamus for instance being blacked out instead of saying ‘he didn't speak' allows the reader to infer their own image of the text.

I recognise to some aspect the self-fulfilling nature of placing himself as the main character but the evolution of the novel and exploring the relationship between not only characters and the page but the novelist, their real life and the page is a dynamic often left unexplored.

I found this novels characters separate and endearing, leaving one desiring to know what happens to every single one of them. The confusion that exists is designed to challenge us and challenge the way we interpret novels.

A thoroughly enjoying and different read.