I picked up this book because of how much I enjoyed Valente's foray into children's literature, one of the best books I've read all year, and found out that the idea for said children's book comes from this story.
So, of course, I had to read this.
Palimpsest is a very odd story, masterfully told with a lovely narrative voice (that seems to trickle through Valente's other works as well) that would have made this book worth the read on its own. The actual story, its premise and promise, remain inscrutable. Even as the idea of Palimpsest, the sexually transmitted city, intrigued me, it became more incomprehensible. But this is not a story about plot, or happenings, or even people...not really. It's a powerful story about wanting and needing, in all its forms.
It is also, and I cannot emphasize this enough, breathtakingly beautiful to read. I think I have to find Valente's poetry next.