The Insult

This is one of the strangest books I have read in a while. It starts off with the main character getting shot in the head at very close range and subsequently becoming blind. It is never explained who did the shooting or why. The story then really begins with his rehabilitation and the life he leads as a blind man. He is medically, certifiably blind but he can see at night, or can he? It just gets weirder and weirder the further you go down the rabbit hole with him.

Totally engrossing, fully realised and mind fucking. Bloody Brilliant.

I honestly don't know what to make of this book. It was annoying and yet compelling; filled with images of seedy hotels, institutions, strange, unlikeable and nasty characters and irritating details.

Hard to tell what was real and what wasn't. So perhaps, Thomson succeeded "blinding" me into reading the book through.

An interesting story and narrative which leaves you hanging then segues to what appears to be a nearly unrelated story "Carving Babies". I enjoyed the character development and playfulness, but at the end, it left me wondering.

Disquieting and beautifully written, as all of Rupert Thomson's books seem to be. I felt this was slow to get going, and enjoyed the later parts of the story much more. And as always, feel I need to reread to get a fuller flavour

The first part is great!...And that is all I have to say...