tomatocultivator's review
5.0
Two novellas of different people, in different years, in the same place. Andermatt County: Two Parables is difficult to read, sometimes. The people inside are troubled and hurting, trying to find meaning, and damaging each other in the process. One story follows a young girl whose parents try to connect with her using a gift that alienates the whole household. The other tells of a teenage boy who finds grace in a most horrible place.
Pam Jones's beautiful, complex prose leaves the reader to wonder at the character's motivations, emotions, and even reality. Taken line by line, it is deeply engrossing. As a whole, it is challenging and strangely uplifting. There is violence in this book, but it is never gratuitous. This is a rare book that I look forward to reading again someday soon. The two stories are placed back-to-back, giving us two front covers: it borders on gimmicky, but it also makes it much easier to pick the parable you wish to read first. I started with "You Shall Be As Gods", but I wonder how that narrative will feel different when I preceded it with "Happy Birthday, Dear Bitsy". Next time, we'll see...
This is challenging, satisfying Southern gothic. All things considered, read this book.
Pam Jones's beautiful, complex prose leaves the reader to wonder at the character's motivations, emotions, and even reality. Taken line by line, it is deeply engrossing. As a whole, it is challenging and strangely uplifting. There is violence in this book, but it is never gratuitous. This is a rare book that I look forward to reading again someday soon. The two stories are placed back-to-back, giving us two front covers: it borders on gimmicky, but it also makes it much easier to pick the parable you wish to read first. I started with "You Shall Be As Gods", but I wonder how that narrative will feel different when I preceded it with "Happy Birthday, Dear Bitsy". Next time, we'll see...
This is challenging, satisfying Southern gothic. All things considered, read this book.
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