Despite its holes, this is a finely constructed work with a surprising and satisfying ending, like a fine meal leading up to a delicious dessert. [See Prepub Alert, 3/25/19.]
Discovering NDiaye on the page might prove preferable to the audio format. Although serviceable, Tavia Gilbert's overly youthful voice detracts from NDiaye's chilling, reflective, and deliberate prose. ["This strangely hypnotic novel exudes anguish and loneliness. NDiaye…writes profoundly disturbing novels in such riveting prose that one cannot look away": LJ 3/16 starred review of the Knopf hc.]
This strangely hypnotic novel exudes anguish and loneliness. NDiaye, a Prix Goncourt winner and Man Booker nominee for Three Strong Women, writes profoundly disturbing novels in such riveting prose that one cannot look away. [See Prepub Alert, 10/19/15.]
Winner of the Prix Goncourt, Ndiaye's novel, though an emotionally difficult read, can be recommended to those who appreciate authors like Yasmina Khadra or Khaled Hosseini.