Leigh reviewed on 10/19/2011 + 378 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

What an astounding, surprising book. It's not often I read a book with expectations of an entertaining plot and pleasant story only to discover writing that touched me far beyond what I could have anticipated and a story that will stick with me. I found myself at several points shaking my head, thinking, "Why didn't *I* write that?" and "I wish I'd thought to say that." It's safe to say that I envy this writer; her use of language and words and - oh, my goodness - metaphors blew me away. Lyrical is the only way I know to describe it because something inside her words resonated with me and made me pay closer attention to the world around me. I never wanted this book to end.

I can't even accurately describe exactly what it was that struck me so unexpectedly. Was it that the narrator was a writer? A mother? Both? Octavia was so complex and rich a character. I trusted her. I found myself self-reflecting right along with her.

Parkhurst's ambition to create a story-within-a-story-within-several-stories works and it works splendidly. I wanted to read every single book Octavia Frost rewrote an ending for; I want to *have written* every single book she wrote. I thought she was brave to begin with for the inventive "Dogs of Babel," but this was far more creative and should be highly and loudly applauded.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details