The Book of Days

By: Steve Rasnic Tem

Narrated by: Nathan Lowell

The author's second novel, The Book of Days, consists of a short story told each day by a man trying to talk himself back to sanity. A kind of literary sampler quilt, these daily inventions emulate the styles of everything from traditional ghost stories to the works of O'Henry and James Whitcomb Riley, from westerns to 50s' science-fiction to boy's own adventure stories. As a sequence illustrating the narrator's deep internal struggle, these dark stories take on additional weight, making each one a sharp shock that builds to an electrifying whole.

©2010 Steve Rasnic Tem (P)2011 David N. Wilson

Great performance, confusing story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. It's a very confusing story line. Honestly more of a series of story points than a story line.

What was most disappointing about Steve Rasnic Tem’s story?

There's not really a story there. At least, not a story that I could tease out. It's like a disjointed stream of consciousness.

Which character – as performed by Nathan Lowell – was your favorite?

Nathan Lowell's performance, as always, was stellar. I can't say though that I have any particular favorite character, I spent the entire time just trying to figure out who was who and how they interact with each other. No one stood out.

Did The Book of Days inspire you to do anything?

Write this review.

Any additional comments?

Again, great performance. But the story is either terrible, or some sort of Art that's beyond me.