Popsicle

This was not my typical read, but the premise and the excerpt I read influenced me enough to give it a try. Part near-future science fiction, part social-commentary-bordering-on-manifesto, the underbelly of New York ends up being a wise choice of setting. Even though Popsicle felt like a drug-induced trip at many times, some of the locations help ground an otherwise unmoored narrative.

I can honestly say I adamantly disliked the main character, but I still found myself turning page after page, actively rooting for him all the same. The read is not an easy one though, rambling and tumbling from one thought to another, one scene to another. Normally, this wouldn't have worked, but given happens within the novel and who the point of view character is, this style of approach made sense.

Two things kept this from being a must read for me though. One is the inconsistency with the use of dialect within prose. Every so often, a word would be misspelled or grammar bent to be more colloquial. Yet, this wasn't done enough I think, and it often just felt more like typos instead. The other issue I had was with just how often there would be time skips back or forth with little fanfare. Yes, the confusion makes sense with the story of the novel, but it didn't have to be convoluted enough that it was almost impossible to follow the thread without rereading a few sentences.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.