Everything Ends and Everything Matters

No kidding. I get that everything matters. Really. I get it. I wanted to scream this at not one, but every character in the book. Everything ends. The book does a good job at ending everything. Not once, but twice. In multiple unviverses. Really?

This is quite possibly the most depressing book I've ever read. Just when things look up, someone dies, blows up a federal building, loses a finger, contemplates killing their child, and ruins the moment. What a long and painful journey for the characters, one that ultimately changes their essential being. I mostly understand the characters, except for Amy. She baffles me throughout the book. In both universes. Why would you skip a one way ticket to life? Why would you even CONSIDER killing your child? What is this Shakespeare? She was confusing, but believeable because she comes around. The character I had a hard time believing was Rodney. A child coke addict turned professional semi-retarded baseball player. While I liked his characer, he was the least believable.

The plot was a rollercoaster to say the least. It took you down to the depths of despair with not one, but three addicts (one who has battled addiction enough times to film an entire season of Intervention), and to the heights of wedded bliss and parenthood (which is tainted with a child who does not respond to her father, and only changes after his near death experience). Each Part of the novel was it's own ride and I was glad when it was over, so I knew it did not start again.

The most redeeming part of this book is that through the absurdity, we care for the characters and their well being. We want the best for them and are grateful for Junior's numerous second chances. Also, Currie is talented at describing a place to perfection and injecting tidbits of humor throughout the mostly dark novel.

While this was not my favorite book, I can see how it would earn a place on my library's shelves. It may not suit my needs, but could certainly fill anothers.