This book is a Russian nesting doll of a novel. We open one story and learn of another, then another, all dealing with lives torn apart by an unimaginable horror. All of this is framed in a pitch perfect time travel structure utilized to maximum effect.

Memories are like branches of a tree, sprouting off the events and people of our life. Sometimes our memories are accurate, sometimes not. Sometimes they need the perspective that comes from years to see how they fit in with the bigger structure of our lives. Until that perspective comes, we only see the branches and have no real understanding. I am not exaggerating when I say that when you finish the last page of this novel, when you finally are able to step back see the whole story you will be devastated and filled with admiration for this gifted novelist who has tackled one of the most difficult subjects imaginable. ( )

This book was recommended to me by two seasoned horror readers that I trust. They were not wrong. Thanks, Jon and Chris!

I don't even know what to say about this book. A man "dissolves" and wakes up as an adult in the town where he lived as a 13 year old boy. As he wanders around town wondering what the heck is going on, his back story is revealed. It's a disturbing one, and one you won't EVER forget.

There is an introduction in this version by Robert Kelly. I would recommend saving the intro until you're finished reading. Especially if you're like me, and like to discover the story on your own as the author intended. This intro was poignant, but gave away too much of what the story was going to be about. That is the only negative thing I can say about this book.

This story requires a lot from the reader. A lot of courage-to continue reading when things get really bad. A lot of strength- to live through these events with the protagonist. A lot of hope-to stick with the main character hoping that things will turn out to to be...somehow better than they appear to be. A lot of Kleenex, because it's a tear jerker. A lot of faith in the author-that he will take you to a REAL conclusion and not just some words on a page. I invested all of this and the author rewarded me with a story that will never leave me. Read it and it won't leave you either.
( )

This book... from the moment I picked it up, I very nearly couldn't put it down. Little's narrative has an eerie inertia, and although the tragedies and the darkness at the heart of the book make it something of a horror novel, there's also a lightness to it--as if, after everything, there's hope for innocence and childhood and goodness, even where evidence of the same seems to be lacking.

In truth, I'm not sure how to speak of this book without giving things away. The subject matter is dark, and as speculative fiction goes, the horror is frighteningly everyday, made of what we see on the news and wish weren't true. But Little's plotting is masterful, and the twists here are impressive, more often than not coming out of the blue and with a bit of half-tuned heartbreak.

All in all, this is a dark read, but it's also kind of wonderful. It's not for children, and not for readers who'll want to turn away from difficult subjects... but it is worthwhile, and I'll remember it.

I'll also be looking for any of Little's other writing. ( )

John Little handles his themes masterfully. I was drawn in from the first pages and read the entire book in one sitting -- NOT my usual pace. Good characters, good story, good setting -- an excellent book.

Pity that the publisher went under. The book will be hard to find -- here's hoping another publisher takes it on. ( )