Ellis’ first venture into writing books comes from years of extensive experience in writing comics and graphic novels. His background really shows, but like an offshoot of the cow stepping back into the ocean to evolve into a dolphin, the transition is done remarkably well. The technique of using the last panel of a page in a graphic novel on some narrative hook or tease to make the reader turn over and tear through the thing in one sitting, as opposed to stretching the experience out over a few days is a strength in the book. Although the chapters feel episodic and threaten to stand shakily isolated from each other at times, this little lift in every single one holds the story together with delightful tension. The fact that the book is shorter than expected inside its sexy black sleeve works with well this.

Anyone who follows Ellis’ blog for a few months before reading the book can see where he’s picked some of the more outlandish scenes up from, and like tipping a nod to the geeks in filmic superhero outings, there’s a little thrill in that. Though the protagonist is experiencing things such as filling his own testicles with saline in abject horror, Ellis remains unflinching and unashamed which makes the whole affair much, much funnier. The love story felt like a bit of a swing from left field at the start, but it’s unconventional evolution and brutal honesty in the realm of polygamy quickly makes it endearing and oddly compelling.

This reader is looking forward to Listener.

Social Bookmarking:

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 27th, 2008 at 6:11 am and is filed under Book Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.