Review: An atmospheric, moody novel is a wonderful surprise and fast favorite
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 30, 2012
Part Western, part film noir, this book defies genres with literary pyrotechnics and rich characters that completely took me by surprise.  This is as much an exciting murder mystery and story of survival as it is a study of the human condition.  The profundity and depth of Adam Said's writing is incredible- think the profuseness of David Foster Wallace with a style and voice that is totally unique.  Marshall John Cartwright is a man whose "vocation defined him" struggling with truth, greed, betrayal, and searching for enlightenment.  This is beautifully written, and the dark subject matter is swathed in pure poetry- it's amazing that Said is able to take a setting and time period so remote from ours and make it relatable.  The Decadence and the Opulence are richly rendered and make readers wonder- what teally separates us from beasts?  This is a clever novel that defies description- you just have to read this one for yourself.