I found this slower going at first, than the excellent 'Something Missing', mostly because I actually found it really sad. I found it so sad that Milo was able to hide his OCD behaviours from such a young age, and never receive any help for something that can usually be managed if you get the right mental health practitioner. I felt sad that his worry that maybe his lifetime friend and certainly his wife, would not be able to handle the truth of his life was pretty much accurate - mental illness is still so stigmatised. That someone like Milo would be so judged about what amount to mostly harmless urges that need satisfying, and other people in society who commit much more harmful acts manage to get away with it unpunished (and in so many circles even praised!) is indicative of the sad world we live in.But once we got past the (possibly a bit too long) back story and lead up to the decision to find 'Freckles', I loved the story. It was insightful, it was creative, it was thought provoking - while still being entertaining. Things I like in a good book. First half and second half felt like different books. Was really hard getting through the first half, and it was really slow pacing, and not at all what I was hoping for. The author's other book I had just read I really loved, so perhaps I was going in with high expectations. The second half however really did deliver, the actual road trip portion, and was much better with much better pacing, and completely engaged me to see it how it would all turn out. Still think it would've much better as well from a first person narrative from Milo.
What do You think about 99 Sommersprossen (2010)?
Interesting take on OCD and quirkiness and relationships, what we share and what we don't.
—pwen
Just not my type of book. Dicks is a good writer, but the character of Milo was annoying.
—Pianogirl233
