Just finished this simply stunning book, best thing Ive read in ages. I found out about it watching the booker prize last week.
It is set in modern Tokoyo and its about this young man trying to find out who his father is. A sinple storyline I suppose but it is more of a triumph for the charecters and quality writing. Quite simply peole who can write so eloquantly beautiful pieces are very rare and its hard to show in my meager words how true this is so I will quote.
''A galaxy of cream unribbons in my coffee cup, and the background chatter pulls into focus. My first morning in Tokoyo, and I am already getting ahead of myself. The jupiter cafe sloshes with lunch hour laughter, Friday plottings, clinking saucers. Drones bark into mobile phones. She-drones hitch up sagging voices to sound more feminine. Coffee seafood, sandwiches, detergant, steam.''
The guy can write so well its scary and he puts things with such skill and delicacy it wraps you up helplessly in the flow of the novel. Wow.
It is a novel of twisted dreams and fantasys with an unbelievable and yet drab reality as a background to its brightly lit streets. The author plays tricks in the novel keeping you guessing what is real, a videogame or a flashback. In a word intriuging.
This is a work of joy and sadness and utterly comendable without the shadow of a doubt one book you should be reading this year.
Now has anyone but me read it because I love it and want other people to read it and more importantly I want to know what you thought of it.
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jabidas = Sorcerer of clan Aerie thing
Also I will have nothing to do with sulpher powder and secret priesthoods so dont even try it.
And dont worry soon you shall all be part of my ever growing army of the undead.