Entry 9 – Dec 22, 2023 Suzann Kale   Spoiler Alert

Beyond metaphors and descriptions, one of the (many) tones of the book as a whole is: Wit.

While each character has their own, completely unique way of thinking, still there is the author’s touch, and Mitchell is beyond creative. Each character’s wit is within their own personality. But overriding everything is a world view of super-educated, world-weary, no-filter, dry (humor?) It’s not really humor, but omg I am laughing at so many of the characters’ descriptions and observations.

For example, “Miguel tries to look jokey-penitent, but misses and looks like a man in white jeans who underestimates a spot of flatulence.”

And “This man...is a bulwark against the rising tide of arselickery that passes for lit crit.”

And, omg, (Holly is in childbirth, the baby’s father, Ed, is 1st person.) “...a dash to the maternity ward, where Holly got axed and shredded alive by a whole new pain called childbirth; and clocks that went at six times the speed of time, until Holly was holding a glistening mutant in her arms..."

Another aspect of wit is: Some of the characters have super-creative, never-heard-before, fabulously hysterical expletives. (And yet, still, each character has their own unique expletive expression style.)