An unenthusiastic thumbs up for a diverting reminiscence. Why unenthusiastic? Well a mix of Red Herrings, Unreliable Narrator, a touch of Anagnorisis* and a splattering of Self-Deprecation make this tale of boy meets, loses and regains girl (years later) feel like an exercise with smoke and mirrors. It's readable and engaging all right, just a bit annoying and at the end you half expect him to leap out shouting "Gotcha again!" just as you finish.
*A sudden recognition of their own or another character's true identity or nature. Apparently.
(Clive Yelf - bwl 53 September 2009 ) |
