I have been sitting here wondering how to write an intelligent, well-organized review of this unique and extremely non-linear book. I suppose it is easiest to start with a simple "Did I like it?" approach. But then again, I don't know if I can answer that either. It is a good book. It is creative and well-written. But for me, there were times when the book's quirkiness got in the way of the story--when the whole point of the book seemed to be it's quirkiness.

I wanted to love this book. It is written from the point of view of an 9 yr old boy who is searching for information about his dad. He lost his Dad in the tragedy of 9/11. Oskar Schell is an emotional, creative, isolated boy with ADD. All of this may have hit a little too close to home for me--and then again not quite gotten it right.

Perhaps it is because I deal with this all the time-the randomness, the brilliance hidden in scattered thoughts, the emotional withdrawals and rollercoasters--that I felt some of the narrative was too "unique" for its own good. I am not sure. I know that parts of the novel flew by for me and at other times I was trudging through because I wanted to love it.

The author does shift voices between Oskar Schell, the 9yr old, and his grandfather, who cannot speak and uses a notebook filled with writing to communicate with the world; however, it often seems tacked on or forced. The story of the grandparents might have made an interesting novel all on its own.

I feel with this book like I do at an art exhibit where I see a piece that I can appreciate but yet it isn't quite my style. This book is kind of an "I like it but it just wouldn't fit in in my house" kind of book. I can appreciate the talent that is there. It was interesting to read. But I wouldn't mind if it was in someone else's library.

(cross posted at Overdue Books. If anyone wants to post their RfP Wednesday review there just email me and I tell you how!)