Memorial

What a lovely novel! At first it seems so casual and breezy I didn't take it seriously. Then I realized my mistake, how carefully written this book is and how much emotional truth it carries. My big question is how much is autobiographical. So much rings true. Not just about Benson, the character whose background mirrors the author's. But also his boyfriend Mike. Even the third of the novel that takes place with Mike's father in Osaka felt very honest to me, the kind of honesty that comes from a personal narrative, but I don't think that was the author's own experience. Remarkable writing!

Another remarkable thing Washington does well is convey a sense of place in his writing. Particularly Houston, the city I grew up in, it's nice to see it featured so lovingly here. But also Osaka or rather a little slice of Osaka, the book felt well situated.