A review by beyondthevalley
Affliction by Russell Banks

4.0

As much Rolf's story as it is Wade's. I'm so excited to dive deeper into Russell Banks, the way narrative is used to add another layer of character, story, and contemplation for the reader is done so expertly here. Weaving in and out of different periods of time, making it clear sometimes and opaque other times about how much you're reading is truth and how much is speculation based on Rolf's own memory and experiences. He is afflicted by the same things Wade is, though in different ways and he lets it affect him different ways. As the narrator, he never sits and contemplates those ideas for long, it's clear he does not want to. But Banks allows the reader to see that subtle discomfort, the sadness and the guilt, all while telling a totally other story.

Also have to say I started watching the movie afterwards and was shocked by how much it all looked exactly the way I pictured in my head. Banks has a way with words I didn't even realize at the time of reading.