dense text. among other things, a great novel about the insane freedom afforded by wealth and security; what tarnished, shackled lives working people lead in comparison; the obliteration of identity under these disparities. highsmith’s europe glitters

less about the mystery than drawing together these illusory connections, symbols, concealed motives in shadowy impression of a pulsing malevolence on the periphery of common existence, somewhere just beyond plain sight. at its best it resembles a sort of populist modernism that i was very taken with

insane heat until it leaves the upper midwest, there’s a lesson in that

maybe his best novel tbh ceaseless barreling plot rendered in his tightest ever prose, some really nasty bits

kinda fun but i think guy was more interested in writing about the paris commune than werewolves

both straub novels i’ve read have been really enjoyable mid, ghost story definitely better than this one though