I
forced myself to finish this book. Eric Gamalinda pushed his story to extremes
employing a jagged narrative and an attempt at dreamlike imagery that did not
work. Instead of feeling like a deeply complex novel, it felt contrived and
belabored. The existential philosophical
thoughts espoused in its preliminary PR were lost within Gamalinda’s overworked
meanderings. The title’s reference was far-fetched and overly emphasized. Like
the rest of the novel it was a parade of excess.
So
why did I give a three star rating for what sounds like a 1 or 2 star review?
There is something in the author’s writing that speaks of knowledge, art and
skill. He is overreaching with an apt
hand. Therefore, I think there is reason to look at Gamalinda’s earlier novels,
which were published in his native language, before making a final assessment
about his work.
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