A review by spookymidwesternreader
I'm Not Sam by Jack Ketchum, Lucky McKee

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I went into this one with such different expectations than what it really was. I had put it off a few times because of what my expectations were and I'm really glad that I just decided screw it and went into it. It was weird and I didn't expect to feel any sympathy for Patrick but I surprised myself by feeling it, right up until I started to question his rationale for certain decisions (for example:

not taking Sam/Lily to the therapist and then obviously the decision to have sex with Lily, even with the vagueness around whether he really thought Sam was back

)
I really appreciated the short story Who's Lily? being included in the book. I felt it really added to both the overall story arc as well as wonderfully muddied any perceptions I had at the end of I'm Not Sam.