Ratings1
Average rating3
Well, it wasn't my favourite thing I've ever read, mostly because of the sparse style, but it was still interesting and enjoyable and quite, quite peculiar. Absurdist. I didn't realize when I bought it that it's part of a trilogy. I would say that it's actually fine as a standalone novel, although I might have more context if I pick up the other two in the trilogy, which I will probably do at some point in the near future. I was certainly happy to have stumbled upon this in Lawrence, KS, a few weeks ago. I'll have to go back and snatch up the other two.
It's a strange little post-apocalyptic dystopian tale mostly focusing on the Balls family and what happens to them once they are shifted to new places. I would say their endings, with the exception of Mildred's are opened-ended, but many nonsensical, dreadful, weird things happen to Mildred and her two grandchildren throughout the book. The setting was vague to me, since I haven't read the other two (although, reading them might make no difference), but it all seemed to be run by this totalitarian religious wacko named Reverend Hooker. And I would say there is definitely social commentary. But I'm usually a little confused after reading a novel like this, until I've processed it. Anyway.