Customer Reviews

A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven

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Okay, let me start by saying this is a BIG book. Even after reading the synopsis I had no idea what it was about. I really liked Twilight of the Dead and the author's writing style, so I purchased this book. It wasn't a mistake.

The first 100 or so pages got me acquainted with the characters, and, I admit, I found they were rather cliche at first: a manic-depressive chess player, a quiet pool hustler, an overprotective (of his friends) state champion wrestler, a gothic drug dealer, and a tough-as-nails state trooper, among others. Then I was presented with the first of AT LEAST THREE major plot twists that made me realize the author had been tricking me, along with a surprise ending I didn't quite see coming, which made the book worthy of a re-read to find all the double meanings hidden throughout the narrative and dialogue. So what is this book about? Imagine equal parts "Magnolia" and "Mulholland Drive" and you'll get a small idea. It's impossible for me to explain further.) The book simply defies categorization.

The cover is beautifully painted, the narrative expertly written, but I have some complaints. The book starts too slowly (but I realized at the end that I took the opening for granted. There's a lot going on here...) Some characters could have been better developed, especially the state trooper. I was also thrown off a little by the descriptive sex and drug abuse, (even though there is also particular attention given to violence, but along with every other human animal, I've been desensitized to that,) but I understand the author's intention, (like the title of the book), to cross into every genre as he weaves a tale so intricate and unique that I can't even begin to imagine how he kept it all straight. But it works. The author also includes a small portion of his notes at the very end, giving you some insight into just how deep this story goes.

I can't help but wonder how much more powerful this book could have been had it been written later in the author's career, once he had more experience under his belt. It doesn't matter. As it stands, A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven is a fantastic read and worth every cent I paid for it. Its definitely on my list of favorite contemporary works of literature.