Less of a novel and more of a collage, poetry collection, and experimental epistolary (among other things) piece of fiction.

For certain parts, that really worked. I kept turning the pages, wanting to know more. This book made me play detective, and I do enjoy looking for clues. It's a book rife with footnotes, references to other pages, quotes from modern trauma literature (both Bessel van der Kolk and Judith Herman feature prominently), and general mixed media.

But as I kept going through this book, I realized that the format just wasn't working for me anymore. There was a lot of repetition in the places where I wanted more clarity and answers. I really wanted to like this book, as it touched on themes I seek in fiction (trauma, climate/ecology, generational stories) but, in spite of the objective beauty of the layout and design, the overall novel just didn't do it for me.

Recommended if you're into unconventional formatting (think House of Leaves, a book I DNF'd but that I know is loved by many) and themes of intergenerational trauma, community, and the more than human world. 2.5 stars rounded down.