Quite the command performance, writing 200 pages about a simple act that would probably be a paragraph or a page described in another book. The synopsis is spot on: A woman traps a roach in a door being closed and proceeds to barrel into her personhood, riding the feeling of what she’s doing to another creature, as well as the thoughts provoked by the feelings. Drilling down and down until it becomes about the human condition and tempers her identity.

It was certainly an overwhelming experience sometimes. Operating on the symbolic level predominantly and concrete made it hypnotic, mesmeric to read, but also stuffed full as the character herself was inundated with thoughts and feelings about life and herself. I really like that what galvanized this internalization was the asserting of her humanity on another living creature. One that is far more equipped for life, in some ways, than humanity. It’s ancient and therefor provokes ancient thoughts when ruminated upon.

Stylistically, it feels and looked like an art house horror movie to me. Shifting and atmospheric. Circuitous and repetitious to effectively recreate the wrestling occurring internally. I think it’s a bit too obtuse for me, but on an additional reading would probably open it up further to me, possibly.