The Patterns Of Paper Monsters (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
The New Yorker was right in their Book Bench blog/column last summer: Emma's use of language is stunning. Jacob, not likeable at first, but obviously hurting, finds himself by the end, in a very realistic voice, appropriately tense narrative, and those amazing descriptions of emotions and people that make you ache for him. While the sexual slang evokes the place and Jacob's character, I found it a little too literal, and not as necessary to the tale as the underlying emotions. But . . . I recognize it may be more the norm than my experiences. I'd read anything she wrote, it's that good. This book is a narrative of 17 year old Jacon's life in the Juvenile Detention Center after a botched arnmed robbery. It is very detailed about the JDC and Jacob's background / homelife but is greatly lacking in other character development. More info is needed on Andrea, David, workers we meet from the JDC. The ending feels rushed and lacking.GREAT "clarity of inner monologue"WARNING: contains cursing, sexual connotations and situations, spousal abuse (including hospitalization), alcoholics, forced religion, crimes, and doesn't seem to take rape or its victims seriously
What do You think about The Patterns Of Paper Monsters (2010)?
I felt comfortable in this kid's head. Great book. More with quotes soon.
—fancy
I liked this book for its fabulous voice: sarcastic, funny, and deep.
—darkangelo
Love. It's the kind of book I want to write, wish I'd written.
—Fairuz
