The Sound Of Building Coffins (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
The most beautiful, creepy book I have read in many years. I came across this title while researching musician Buddy Bolden. I rarely purchase a book at full price without knowing the author beforehand, but I read the first chapter on Amazon and bought it immediately. Maistros is brilliant, and has made his way into my top 10 favorite authors with this book. (He seems like a really nice guy as well, which never hurts). Reading this book was like eating pebbles. It started off harsh but it got heavier and heavier with every gulp. It is beautiful. It is horrible. It is what Faulkner only dreamed of being. And yet...And yet... I hate the last 2% of the book. Spoilers from here on out* If only it ended with Markus Nobody Special melting into Maria's grave during the hurricane this would have been epic. But no, it had to try to salvage a happy ending. This destroyed the entire flow of the story (and the Markus chapter to an extent; Chapter 57 I believe). So I would recommend reading this book, up to chapter 57 and then letting your mind finish it. The last two chapters add nothing to what had been a story so heavy and deep that you could drown in it. But no, the masses must be appeased. Someone (marginal characters at best) has to have a happy ending. So minus 1 star for that. Bah humbug.
What do You think about The Sound Of Building Coffins (2009)?
Awesome writing and amazing story! Louisiana magical realism? Of course!
—ksaroha
