Science Fiction
About 40% into Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars, and it’s quietly odd in a way I’m enjoying more than I expected.
Not loud about it. Not trying too hard. Just slightly off-centre all the time, which is a nicer trick than being “quirky” at full volume. The humour is there, but so is the strangeness, and I keep thinking the balance is the point.
It feels like one of those books that knows exactly how weird it wants to be and doesn’t make a fuss about it. Which, frankly, is a relief.
Not loud about it. Not trying too hard. Just slightly off-centre all the time, which is a nicer trick than being “quirky” at full volume. The humour is there, but so is the strangeness, and I keep thinking the balance is the point.
It feels like one of those books that knows exactly how weird it wants to be and doesn’t make a fuss about it. Which, frankly, is a relief.
At 15% in, I’m mostly relieved it isn’t rushing to explain its own oddness. So many books mistake “weird” for “loud”, which is tiresome. This one seems happier to let the atmosphere do the work.
Also, juvenile fiction can be surprisingly unforgiving about tone. If the balance slips, it all goes a bit school assembly. So far, it hasn’t.
Also, juvenile fiction can be surprisingly unforgiving about tone. If the balance slips, it all goes a bit school assembly. So far, it hasn’t.