/lit/ - Literature

To the anon waiting for my review last thread, sorry I feel asleep before I could post this. Already put on GR:

Nesmer has outdone himself with "I Pray to the Hungry God." True to his style, this book is dark and gritty, and the most disturbing story he has told to date. It follows a child soldier named Nsengi and his quest for revenge against his brother, bringing him into war in the Congo in the late 90s. But this story is not about heroism, rather it is a horrific journey that destroys his mind and creates a monster within him. It has three parts and shows us the perspective of both brothers. Nesmer utilizes quotation marks purposefully to alter perception, isolating Nsengi and also eroding his identity. The imagery of poverty, war and evil ritual is haunting, the ending is tragic and Nsengi's growing hunger culminates to a new understanding of life.
It's helpful I think to contrast this story with "Eggplant" which was Nesmer's first novel and was lauded as an inspiration for amateur writers online. "I Pray to the Hungry God" has almost no clumsy paragraphs. The writing has clear energy and a consistent, harrowing voice that illustrates the violent, grotesque and absurd. The symbol of the cut-up face is even more iconic than the cuttlefish in "Eggplant". The events that take place rarely pass by the reader like a freakshow, they torment the reader and twist the characters until they break.
This novel is something special and if you didn't believe Nesmer had talent before, you ought to believe it now. I look forward to the next one.

Also would note that Zulu Alitspa has another take on this book. He thinks it's less clear and not as great as Eggplant was, but he did seem impressed with part 3. I kind of get the perspective from his review, but personally this second book hit me way harder. At any rate, /lit/ be writin.