"A novel in nine stories", the subtitle says. To me, in the end it was more a story collection than a novel. But the stories are interwoven through their main characters. Very cleverly constructed. Stories about people who lose their identity, in different ways. Beautifully written in clear prose. Impressive, and inviting to read more of this author. ( )

Interesting, original novel. A construction of nine short stories that are interconnected in an easy and in a complicated way. The easy way is: characters that feature as a main character in one story play a small or supporting role in another. The complicated way is that a trick is played with the concept of fiction. Some of the stories appear to be fiction within fiction. And as the stories are intricately interwoven, mirrored into each other, you end up rather confused. What is true, what isn't? As far as you could speak of " true" in a work of fiction. And who is actually the narrator?

It's a very modern story, both in its almost experimental construction, and in its subject. Mobile phones, the internet, powerpoint presentations, bestseller authors, new age spirituality all play a role. The stories are set in locations all over the world; far apart, yet close, because of modern communication. It poses questions about identity, and the easy ways in which you could change your identity or take on a fake one, thanks to modern technology, or, the lack of it.

I quite enjoyed reading it. It's a light read. It does make you think, but not in the way that a book on a serious topic would, rather in an analytical way. However, it seemed to be more about the idea than about the story. The stories seemed chosen at random, the characters remained rather superficial. So... entertaining:yes, original: for sure, but really good: no. ( )