What a weird book. A surrealistic descent into a very particular visit the protagonist has to Germany. Seemingly possessing information he shouldn’t have yet, and a different kind of logic dominating—until it doesn’t anymore. In the later half things are turned on their head and the pieces come together much more fully. Though, I’m not sure he, or the reader ever figure absolutely everything out. Maybe on a reread or two. I can imagine it being a frustrating experience for some readers. I tend to like surrealism, so I mostly enjoyed it, especially because my initial expectation was that it might be veering into sci-fi, which would have been more pedestrian (for me).

Picture Blanche Dubois, but a man. Coupled with that famous quote about someone not needing to be malicious to cause harm, only needing a lack of empathy and understanding. I understood, but hated the protagonist of this novel. It’s a rare character that provokes such a reaction.