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A review by zefrog
Boulevard by Jim Grimsley
2.0
A confusing/ed and unsatisfying book without much of a story or a purpose.
The indirect streams of consciousness we are presented with in a very dry and minimalist language can at time become tedious in their pointless minutiae and I often found myself hoping for something to actually happen (usually in vain). The little that does actually happen is unexplained and usually baffling.
On page 266, one of the characters informs us they think the hero is "possessed of a larger personality than usual" but if that's the case Grimsley completely fails to reveal it to us.
The chosen structure of the narrative (if that's what it is) creates an unexpected sense of detachment and despite our being inside the heads of the characters we learn very little about their motives and end up not really caring for any of them.
I wish I had got to read the book outlined in the blurb at the back which sounds so much more alive. There are more rewarding books to give your time to, out there.
The indirect streams of consciousness we are presented with in a very dry and minimalist language can at time become tedious in their pointless minutiae and I often found myself hoping for something to actually happen (usually in vain). The little that does actually happen is unexplained and usually baffling.
On page 266, one of the characters informs us they think the hero is "possessed of a larger personality than usual" but if that's the case Grimsley completely fails to reveal it to us.
The chosen structure of the narrative (if that's what it is) creates an unexpected sense of detachment and despite our being inside the heads of the characters we learn very little about their motives and end up not really caring for any of them.
I wish I had got to read the book outlined in the blurb at the back which sounds so much more alive. There are more rewarding books to give your time to, out there.