The story is about falling in love with others, in love with oneself, and in and out of love with the world. It explores the place of lesbianism in New York in the 1950s, a tale of both hope and tragedy. It’s about self discovery, the fight between the inner and the outer world.

With elements of suspense, this is a cross between a pulp romance and a literary novel about the human existence. Kind of like Paul Auster meeting Ann Bannon. While the style of the writing is quite typical of the pulp fiction movement, the content offers food for thought.

The melange might seem obnoxious but it isn’t - it works, it grips you, you have to know what happens to Carol.

There is also a lot of humour, albeit somewhat dark, and Therese, the narrator, offers a candid view of New York.

This is a classic. Absolutely recommended.

Link to this post: http://www.cogitas.net/bookworm/search.php?p=9

I normally enjoy literary fiction with flourishes and an extensive vocabulary, such as Paul Auster, but I feel that Jonathan Lethem's style is closer to a kid showing off the new words he's learnt at school.

But he redeems himself with a powerful tale of awkward teenagers, racial tensions, inner-city violence, gentrification and creative outcasts in Brooklyn.

While the story touches on many taboo subjects, such as male homosexuality within the black community, racism against white people, violence against your owns and absent mothers, it simple brings another side to the table without judging. The narrative style - the story is narrated in the 1990s but most of it takes place in the 1970s - provides an historical emotional attachment and you almost forget that this is fiction, so poignant and believable the stories are.

Link to this post: http://www.cogitas.net/bookworm/search.php?p=7

His eye for detail turns this novel into a film and this is very exciting. Not only is he good with physical descriptions, but also with inner thoughts.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy getting into the head of mature characters, and/or who have a fascination with New York City like I have.

Link to this post: http://www.cogitas.net/bookworm/search.php?p=6

While the constant change of POVs in the same scene is a bit frustrating as it makes it difficult to really empaphise with a given character, the story and the characters are all three dimensional and reveal themselves in unexpected ways.

Graham Greene mixes religion with gang violence and it is particularly interesting that the most religious gangster is the most violent. This is a stern reminder that being religious doesn't mean being ethical and fair.

Link to this post: http://www.cogitas.net/bookworm/search.php?p=5