Professional hunter brought in to kill Tiger. He has interesting past--sister is epileptic who is on verge of death (and dies) young. Killer is drawn to taxidermy, then hunting, as a life-in-death occupation. Grandfather wants the tiger to live, wants Luka's wife to be left alone. In an (almost) magical way, the tiger escapes the traps of the hunter. Luka's wife, magically, is able to get out at night in the snow and protect the tiger. Scene concludes with Grandfather (as a boy) killing the hunter to protect Luka's wife. Was the hunter attacking her? Not entirely clear that he was.
Follows Sadie and Sam (Mazer) from childhood to mid-thirties when both are feeling old and a bit out of it in the gaming world. Characters are well-rounded, develop throughout the novel in interesting way. Plot is involved but sensible. Not a single, "Oh, come on!" moment. The book could have been faster paced. Odd, since the main topic is video games which are not for their speed of engagement and Gabrielle Zevin clearly knows her video games. Recommended by Michael Connelly in an interview. He also has Bosch pick up the book in his novel, Resurrection Walk, as Bosch tails a possible witness to a crime as she moves through a bookstore. Sadie and Sam do not get together at the end, which is good. Marx killed by homophobic nutcase who really wants to kill Sam, but Sam isn't there. Marx is father of Sadie's child.
Comments
Post a Comment