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A review by jdsutter
These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker
3.0
I have really enjoyed Smucker's previous three novels and I was quite excited for this one. I wanted to like this book, but I don't know if I can. When I reached the end all I was left with were so many questions that I'm really struggling with how to feel about it.
I found the beginnings of the story confusing and I kept hoping that something would happen to clear things up somewhere along the way, but that moment never came. There was one scene toward the end that offered a slight hint at what in the world was actually happening, but it was so vague and full of ambiguity that all it did was incite more questions in my mind.
On the positive side, Shawn Smucker has a wonderful way with words. He has a way of storytelling that compels and entices you to keep reading. His characters and their emotions, feelings, and motivations are so vivid that they just come to life as you turn the pages. This is what made me stick with this book even though I had no idea what was going on.
There is something about These Nameless Things that feels vaguely reminiscent of MacDonald's At the Back of the North Wind, although the stories are very different. I can't quite put my finger on what makes me draw that comparison.
Ultimately, this is a haunting tale that has an ever-present sense of foreboding as you make your way through the pages. It left me dissatisfied, confused, and bewildered as I searched for the meaning and tried to make sense of it all. I was overcome with a tremendous feeling of melancholy as I closed the book and simply pondered it for several minutes.
While I can without hesitation recommend Shawn Smucker's prior works of fiction, I would say that unless you really enjoy unresolved stories, are completely fine with obscurity, and enjoy puzzling over a text the way one might over a piece of poetry that needs interpreting, then you might want to pass on this one.
2.5 stars
I found the beginnings of the story confusing and I kept hoping that something would happen to clear things up somewhere along the way, but that moment never came. There was one scene toward the end that offered a slight hint at what in the world was actually happening, but it was so vague and full of ambiguity that all it did was incite more questions in my mind.
On the positive side, Shawn Smucker has a wonderful way with words. He has a way of storytelling that compels and entices you to keep reading. His characters and their emotions, feelings, and motivations are so vivid that they just come to life as you turn the pages. This is what made me stick with this book even though I had no idea what was going on.
There is something about These Nameless Things that feels vaguely reminiscent of MacDonald's At the Back of the North Wind, although the stories are very different. I can't quite put my finger on what makes me draw that comparison.
Ultimately, this is a haunting tale that has an ever-present sense of foreboding as you make your way through the pages. It left me dissatisfied, confused, and bewildered as I searched for the meaning and tried to make sense of it all. I was overcome with a tremendous feeling of melancholy as I closed the book and simply pondered it for several minutes.
While I can without hesitation recommend Shawn Smucker's prior works of fiction, I would say that unless you really enjoy unresolved stories, are completely fine with obscurity, and enjoy puzzling over a text the way one might over a piece of poetry that needs interpreting, then you might want to pass on this one.
2.5 stars