I picked up this book initially because I heard it inspired a lot of Sam Lake's writing in certain video games like Control, and Alan Wake 2.
Initially I wasn't really intrigued with the idea of the book being non-linear, and having to put effort into flipping through the book. But the more I read it, I enjoyed these aspects to a degree. It's surprisingly scary (but not OMG I am shaking and crying scary) considering I don't get easily spooked. There is something insanely terrifying about getting lost in labyrinth, especially one that decides to change at will. I also really enjoy the footnotes, which are sometimes hilarious and cheeky.
I think the story is far is engaging, I "get" the book. I'm near page 100, read every single deviation in full (like the Whalestoe letters, and I even read chapter XIII when prompted), but for the past few days I basically haven't touched the book despite enjoying it.
I am just left feeling like I have exhausted most of what this book has to offer, and I honestly can't really see where else this book needs to go that would justify another 400 pages in the main story.
I'm already predicting what's going to happen:
– Johnny Truant gets crazier and loses his mind with another 1-2 page tangent without periods and random words mashed together
– Zampano's continues his academic tangent that gets wackier, and lost, without any hope of making it back out.
– The dark hallway gets even bigger and even more random
– Somehow, the hallway gets closed off convenient when the media comes or when proof of it's existence needs to be established to someone in power.
Maybe I'm just not the kind of person to enjoying the "confusing nonsense" genre, because I know that trying to understand these kinds of stories is pointless if by (somehow) understanding the nonsense, you are rewarding with more nonsense, ironically like a spiraling staircase that never ends.
I am considering maybe powering through it. But would like to hear your thoughts on it.
by billistenderchicken