Nicholas is an artistic soul who, at the age of 10, falls deeply, irrevocably in love with an older woman named Julia. His life is characterized by his encounters with her and her treatment of him.
I am still not sure exactly what to say in review of this book. I can’t decide whether it is roughly poetic or vulgar and trying too hard. The phrase ‘masturbatory fantasy’ springs to mind. Nevertheless, the characters are extremely genuine. None seem to have contradictory motives or behave in a way that seems out of character for them. They are real people and not caricatures. Nick is a ridiculously self-aware narrator, and honest with the reader about his motivations as they contradict his dialogue. He is fascinating.
As a side note, the author is also incredibly well-informed on the subject of out-of-the-ordinary art forms, describing the processes of copper etchings and book binding, and other things I don’t exactly have a name for. It was quite interesting to read about, and the descriptions did not interrupt the flow of the narrative.
I enjoyed this book immensely, although I would not recommend it to just anyone. I think it takes a somewhat scattered individual with no qualms about graphic sex and general crudeness of language. ( )