“One of the questions in the discussion-starters in the back of this book, which I glanced at, asked how it is different from other (what it called) "9/11 books." I haven't read all that many--I can think of two, and, honestly, they had quite a few elements, I'd argue, of what is to be found here. But anyway, the point of the question was to point out the shock, the subversion, of this novel. And, yes, it is subversive. It is different, almost shocking--and refreshingly so. It is honest and unafraid, even of anger, violence, and happiness at the misfortune of others. Nor is it afraid of love, compassion, closeness, and heartbreak--in fact, the darker aforementioned story is wrapped up inextricably in a much warmer, sweeter, and sadder expression of the latter. But--a fairly big but--it makes too much of itself and is pompous. Of course, some of that pomposity is intentional, but I don't think it realizes to what degree, truly, of pomposity it rises. And of course, some of its seeming self-importance (in my mind) stems from the fact that I know what a big deal has been made of this novel. But despite that, I think it itself is too enamored of itself as the "one" different, subversive 9/11 story. I would say that there are others, and that they deal with themselves in a far less self-absorbed manner. I have given this book 4 stars and it is most definitely worth a read, but it is not the only one.”
Ria A wrote this review Saturday, February 4, 2012.
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