We have arrived at a fold in space and time. Nothing moves forward. A scientific dilemma yet to be solved fully.
You are probably confused.
We are confused, too.
Ever since time stopped, Truda’s life has turned upside-down. Her mother left the family. Her brother is keeping secrets. She has discovered that she can throw a javelin further than anyone ever has. And her father is building boxes around a mysterious switch in the house.
I have never read a book quite like this. It leans heavily into surrealism, into a world where time has stopped, where children can fly and solve impossible theorems, where houses spin into impossible configurations. But at its heart it is about a family grappling with trauma so profound it cannot be openly discussed.
Though I do not feel we got to get to know Truda too well, I empathized with her. She wants her family back together, and for her sister, who haunts this book, to stay far away. I appreciated that the author made it quite clear that some relationships can’t be mended, and some people are so toxic that it is best for you to have them out of your life – it’s an important lesson to learn.
The writing style was unique, populated with slashes, rhythmic, convoluted but still quite understandable – though its unconventionality might not suit everyone.
My main quibble is that I thought the ending wrapped up too fast, with changes in characters that are driven by factors not evident to the readers. Looking through Truda’s eyes limits our vision in this aspect.
Overall, an interesting and experimental read that I quite enjoyed.
You are probably confused.
We are confused, too.
Ever since time stopped, Truda’s life has turned upside-down. Her mother left the family. Her brother is keeping secrets. She has discovered that she can throw a javelin further than anyone ever has. And her father is building boxes around a mysterious switch in the house.
I have never read a book quite like this. It leans heavily into surrealism, into a world where time has stopped, where children can fly and solve impossible theorems, where houses spin into impossible configurations. But at its heart it is about a family grappling with trauma so profound it cannot be openly discussed.
Though I do not feel we got to get to know Truda too well, I empathized with her. She wants her family back together, and for her sister, who haunts this book, to stay far away. I appreciated that the author made it quite clear that some relationships can’t be mended, and some people are so toxic that it is best for you to have them out of your life – it’s an important lesson to learn.
The writing style was unique, populated with slashes, rhythmic, convoluted but still quite understandable – though its unconventionality might not suit everyone.
My main quibble is that I thought the ending wrapped up too fast, with changes in characters that are driven by factors not evident to the readers. Looking through Truda’s eyes limits our vision in this aspect.
Overall, an interesting and experimental read that I quite enjoyed.