I loved Leif Enger's book, "Peace Like a River", so I was looking forward to reading his newest book, "Virgil Wander"; however, that book just wasn't for me. While, I have no complaints about the writing, "Virgil Wander" is slow reading, and I quickly lost momentum.
The story follows a man named Virgil Wander, who survives a car crash but whose memory and language are altered. The Midwestern town he lives in is full of quirky characters whose lives intersect with Virgil's. (Virgil even owns an old movie theatre, which seems to reflect the down-on-his-luck vibe of the town.)
I can't put my finger on why I didn't love this book. Is it because nothing seems to happen? Did I want Virgil to have a concrete goal, a mission, something he must attain or change? I'm not sure. To be honest, I only made it through about half the book before setting it aside and forgetting about it. Maybe I'll pick it up again. Sometimes you just have to be in the right mood.
The story follows a man named Virgil Wander, who survives a car crash but whose memory and language are altered. The Midwestern town he lives in is full of quirky characters whose lives intersect with Virgil's. (Virgil even owns an old movie theatre, which seems to reflect the down-on-his-luck vibe of the town.)
I can't put my finger on why I didn't love this book. Is it because nothing seems to happen? Did I want Virgil to have a concrete goal, a mission, something he must attain or change? I'm not sure. To be honest, I only made it through about half the book before setting it aside and forgetting about it. Maybe I'll pick it up again. Sometimes you just have to be in the right mood.