Perfect by Rachel Joyce

Have you ever picked up a book to find that it wasn't what you expected? PERFECT was that for me. It was really difficult to get into, but the beautiful writing and dual narrative were oddly compelling. More so when you start to see how the concept of "perfect" ties into the adult man, Jim, who is ruled by his OCD and the demons from his past, and Byron, the child of WASP-y parents whose lives are torn apart because of a tragedy.

It's been a while since a story I was enjoying made me so angry. I think the last time was something by J.M. Coetzee. He's good at that. Rachel Joyce is also good, but not as. Byron's story was interesting, but unraveled too quickly at the end. Jim's story, on the other hand, had an unnecessary romance subplot.

PERFECT isn't a perfect book by any means, but it's a fast read with an interesting mystery at its heart, and watching both story lines spiral downward has all the appeal of a literary train wreck.

Sorry if this review is short, but I can't say much more than this without spoiling everything. ;)

3 out of 5 stars.