A review by knkoch
Darryl by Jackie Ess

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Man, I rate so many books at 5, but this was great. I love that I went in knowing almost nothing, and even though I was expecting something different, I love what this became. It’s a wonderful, experimental, unusual book that moved in ways I’ve not read before. I’m glad I was able to go on the ride it offers. I was most impressed with the narrative (first-person) voice of the protagonist, Darryl. He felt very real and of a type, but got to tell his story all the same. Makes sense that the author is friends with Torrey Peters; I can see some similarities in terms of humor and subject. 

I read a great interview afterwards with the author, I’ll include it here: 
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/writer-jackie-ess-on-making-work-that-doesnt-fit-neatly-into-categories/

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Sexual Content:

Spoiler

I suppose this isn’t erotica, as this book is more interested in philosophy and identity and sex is more the subject matter those ideas are explored through. But there’s a lot of sex, it’s basically grounded in sexual encounters, so keep that in mind.