Derek
Same Bed, Different Dreams is the type of book that finds its pleasure in puzzle. Ed Park leads the reader through a complicated setup and peels just enough of the layers away for the idea to cohere - the reader feeling special for seeing pieces snap together. I enjoyed the feeling, of course, but sometimes wished that the punchline was more emotional and not always "clever".
I was surprised to find the repeated reference to 2333 - one puzzle that wasn't solved clearly for the reader is if and how there is a connection to 2666. Ed Park makes much different use of the numbers but it's hard to imagine he did not intend the callout. Two things do seem similar about the books - first, the commentary and comedy found in the dregs of late stage capitalism. And second, the breezy sense with which characters float in and out of scenes.
All in all, a good book and I hope to see more of Ed Park!
Same Bed, Different Dreams is the type of book that finds its pleasure in puzzle. Ed Park leads the reader through a complicated setup and peels just enough of the layers away for the idea to cohere - the reader feeling special for seeing pieces snap together. I enjoyed the feeling, of course, but sometimes wished that the punchline was more emotional and not always "clever".
I was surprised to find the repeated reference to 2333 - one puzzle that wasn't solved clearly for the reader is if and how there is a connection to 2666. Ed Park makes much different use of the numbers but it's hard to imagine he did not intend the callout. Two things do seem similar about the books - first, the commentary and comedy found in the dregs of late stage capitalism. And second, the breezy sense with which characters float in and out of scenes.
All in all, a good book and I hope to see more of Ed Park!