Weaves an enchanting charm despite its intricate style and absence of a conventional storyline.
By Mandy-Suzanne Wong ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 2023
Rumors of a mysterious white box have been circulating in a snowed-in city. Wong’s novel focuses on this enigmatic object, which no one has been able to open. Narrators tell stories of their encounters with the box, and the book is filled with complex anecdotes. The box is described as a “counterfeit thing” that bears the burden of its own non-identity. Characters discuss the idea of a Seeker and Keeper in a timeless battle to possess the box, and the city is suffering from a possible box-induced climate change.
As the plot progresses, it becomes clear that the box is a powerful force causing disruption. One character reflects on the strangeness of the box, and the book conveys a sense of dark glamour around books and stories. Despite the dense prose, Wong’s novel is a captivating exploration of a mysterious object.
Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9781644452493
Page Count: 264
Publisher: Graywolf
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023