RanaldClouston@fediscience.orgThis short novel is very much a book of two halves. The first is an extremely detailed narrative of a group of neurotic New Zealand fashionistas spending a day preparing for a photo shoot. The second can't really be described without spoilers; let's just say there is a sharp turn into magical realism. The two halves don't really cohere for me, but the whole certainly wasn't boring. @bookstodon #bookstodon #PipAdam
marintkael@mastodon.social
A hard turn halfway through is such a risky move. When it works, the slow first half reads completely differently in hindsight.
@RanaldClouston @bookstodon
There should be a name for that kind of novel structure: split halves with a completely different subject, tone, and style in the second half. The juxtaposition of "what really matters" seems to be the point: frivolous vs. serious. Yet, it can feel so jarring.
No One is Talking About This, by Patricia Lockwood, is exactly like what you just described, where the first half is almost whimsical, and then the bottom drops out.
@kimlockhartga @bookstodon I can think of a few other stories that switch genres half way through, like the recent movie Sinners, but I'm not sure I can think of any that switch so violently with so little foreshadowing.
@RanaldClouston @bookstodon Excellent point. Yes, in the reviews, people are doing their best to warn other readers.