Surreal.

I kept thinking of "Hell Is the Absence of God" by [a:Ted Chiang|130698|Ted Chiang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399023404p2/130698.jpg]. Handling spirituality as alternate history / science fiction isn't tackled all that often, but both this novel and that Chiang story are great examples. The constant casual mention of things both familiar and alien provides an unsettling setting that is used to great effect.

I love the nested stories, particularly because story telling is so integral to the workings of the world of the novel. How the stories relate to the main narrative is revealed slowly and the climax of the novel is unexpected, inevitable and powerful. The last few pages could very well drive the reader to start a 2nd reading.