Review: The Angel of History

The Angel of History by Rabih Alameddine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's always difficult to review a book that was not so great for me, from an author I like. More than that, from a great writer.

I read "An Unnecessary Woman" by Rabih Alameddine a couple of years ago and was swept away by how good it was. It was the first book I read by this author, so I thought I knew what to expect from another of his books.

Big, big mistake! This book was just too "verbal" for me. We have Jacob/ Yak'Ub, a gay writer who has seen half his friends and partner die of AIDS. He's on the brink of a mental breakdown and is in the waiting room of a psych hospital waiting to be admitted. We also have Jacob's life story, and Death and Satan discussing in Jacob's living room.
We also have a string of saints and martyrs appearing at all times.

For me, the best part is almost at the end of the book, when the author describes a party where they have caged men "decorating" the house. The theme terrible and at the same time hilarious.

So, for me, a book marvelously written but with a complex and sometimes dull story.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

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