Customer Reviews

The Interrogative Mood: A Novel?

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Whatever this book is or will be recognized to be, it is one of a kind. Literally every sentence in the book is a question. What amazed and delighted me is that it's actually a good read! Not just because it is witty, captivating, touching and beautifully written... there are more examples of all that. I was reminded more than once of Holden Caulfield. I could well believe that this is him badgering you with all these questions. (and in view of Salinger's easy access to lawyers I hasten to add that this is purely my own private impression, and in no way is the author responsible.)

I believe here is a new way of storytelling, and a very interesting and rewarding one. When I got over my initial surprise (and yes, impatience) I found that instead of sort of trying to answer the questions, my brain started to go with the flow... much as I would go along with a strong, intelligent and convincing voice, not unlike those of Nabokov's Charley Kinbote or Martin Amis' John Self. But even among these giants Powell more than holds his own. The Interrogative Mood literally forces your brain to make up its own 'story', and in that sense offers a truly different and new reading experience. Much more than previous lame experiments in 'interactive' storytelling, this book needs a good reader to make it happen, to make it complete. Be that reader and you will never forget it.

What's the point? Is it the reader's task to somehow make sense out of a series of random questions? Is novelty enough, or should a new form justify its existence by actually accomplishing something?

How did the writer know when to start a new paragraph? Isn't a paragraph supposed to have a topic sentence? Is it up to the reader to interpret the significance of the paragraph structure, too? If a paragraph on page 20 changed places with one on page 100, would you be able to tell? Can you think of any other book where you could do that and get away with it?

Amy Hempel, were you really referring to this book when you wrote that this is a "precise and beautiful novel"? In what way is this a "novel"? Do novels require characters and plot? What,exactly, did you find precise and beautiful?

Are you still interested in reading this book? Does your library have a copy? Would you really consider buying it?

It would be tempting to think that just by experimenting with literary style, and using only questions to write an entire book, would be gimmicky and the effect of the gimmick would wear off. It doesn't. Powell has packed so many thoughts into his interrogatories that each question stimulates you to high quality thought.

I recommend it.

I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. Witty, ridiculous, droll, disarming, laugh-out-loud, original. A peek inside the author's mind: Ye gods, fella! I really loved it.

I was put off by the idea that someone could get away with writing a 'book' of just questions. As I started reading it I thought "What, no plot? No character development? How did this get published?" I can now answer this question ... because it's pretty darned funny!

Do you like spending time reflecting about your childhood? Are your childhood memories good or bad? Even if you don't remember your childhood as being happy,do you still feel you learned or gained something from it? Do you read a wide variety of books on different subjects? Have you had rich and varied life experiences? Do you like thinking about things? Does internal dialog mean anything to you?
Then jump on in-this is the book you have been waiting for: they are few and far between.

A wondrously fun & rewarding reading immersion. I think you'll know by the end of the first paragraph. It actually makes some people nervous (because they immediately feel responses are required? Is it some kind of test?) I gave it to one such friend with instructions to relax & go with it - I'm curious to see whether that happens or he keeps his reading-performance anxiety throughout. Another friend tore it out of his hands and shrieked with joy...

First I was surprised how small the book was but then I realized that inside you can find so much interesting questions it takes months to go through. I put the questions to myself during reading, to my friends and family and all were really thrilled with the book. It's like a game. And a funny game. Forexample I laughed when my cousin spent approx. ten minutes thinking about strawberrys and cherrys - which fruit she would choose.
It's just sometimes the questions are too long and too complicated and generally I don't like harcovers as much as paperbacks.

Would you read a book that only had questions in it? Who would ask you to? When you were finished with this book would you then want to share it with others? Would you like to read it? May I suggest that you do, but that you take your time with it and refrain from answering all the questions? When have you ever had all the answers anyway? Is this a good book?
Yes, yes it is.

Started out interesting, but lost interest by page 9 and dont think I will finish the book. Interesting concept but pages and pages of the same. The radio story on NPR was great and intrigued my interest in the book. Not sure I would recommend. Snipits on the radio show were enough.