Michael's Book Babble

Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon is a complete mindf***. That's really the only way I can describe it. Hell, I don't even want to talk too much about it, because... because... it's way too easy to spoil stuff. Way too easy.

I will say this. There were two points in this novel where I gasped and said, "Oh my god!" aloud. It's very rare when a novel can do that to me, especially when I was trying to figure things out from the very beginning.

I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but when I read this in the very first or second paragraph, "On the seat beside him, in between him and his father, Ryan’s severed hand is resting on a bed of ice in an eight-quart Styrofoam cooler," I knew I was in for a helluva ride. And an unforgettable ride.

How do you explain what type of a book this is? I've seen people label it as a "literary thriller," and maybe that's the best thing to call it. It is a thriller in some ways, but it's more literary. It takes its time. It all builds up to something, and until the last twenty pages or so you're not exactly sure what. I was about to give it only four stars or so, but when I hit those last twenty pages, those pages changed everything.

If you're even the slightest bit interested in reading this book, I'd avoid looking it up. Just go ahead and read it. The less you know, the better. Just go along for the ride and see how you come out of it after everything's all said and done.

I was debating if I should give this five stars or not. I ended up taking away half a star only because it's so surprising and shocking towards the end, I'm not sure it'd be as powerful the second time around. Maybe it would be even more powerful during a second read. I'm not sure, although I have a feeling there's no way it could have an effect on me like it did the first time around. So, that's the only reason why I didn't give it five stars.

I listened to the audiobook, and Kirby Heyborne does a wonderful job. He sets the tone perfectly. I also saw that he reads Stephen King's The Long Walk. I was going to listen to that next, but after this I think I need something a bit on the lighter side.

I don't think I'll ever forget Await Your Reply.

4 and a half stars