This is a short, very fast read. It has crafty descriptions and an unusual story. I finished within a little over an hour because it's just at around 160 pages. Honestly, I felt detached most of the time. I understood the story was mostly a metaphor of dealing with death and illness and letting go, but perhaps it wasn't for me. I couldn't feel sympathy for the characters and I really wanted to. It's also a novella that sets up for the author's next novel--kind of like a prequel of sorts--to my understanding. But I don't think I'll be reading it. The dark and creepy fantasty elements amped it up for me though. When Loochie and Sunny cross into this otherworldly place in apartment 6D and the story's pace begins to pick up, I was intrigued. I liked the descriptions. At times, it was confusing though because I felt that LaValle didn't fully develop his world-building to its potential. I really wanted more from this story and it fell flat unfortunately.The ending ruined it for me. I really don't want to give a spoiler because I always try to avoid those in my reviews, but I will say this: if you're sensitive toward mental illness, it might insult you. I didn't like how the author wrapped up the ending. It was like snap and over, explained, but not really explained, because that's not how it works at all. I would've much preferred LaValle had just left that out. But I guess it was a set up for Loochie's character in his next book. 2.5 stars
Pixie Lynn Whitfield
This is a short, very fast read. It has crafty descriptions and an unusual story. I finished within a little over an hour because it's just at around 160 pages. Honestly, I felt detached most of the time. I understood the story was mostly a metaphor of dealing with death and illness and letting go, but perhaps it wasn't for me. I couldn't feel sympathy for the characters and I really wanted to. It's also a novella that sets up for the author's next novel--kind of like a prequel of sorts--to my understanding. But I don't think I'll be reading it. The dark and creepy fantasty elements amped it up for me though. When Loochie and Sunny cross into this otherworldly place in apartment 6D and the story's pace begins to pick up, I was intrigued. I liked the descriptions. At times, it was confusing though because I felt that LaValle didn't fully develop his world-building to its potential. I really wanted more from this story and it fell flat unfortunately.The ending ruined it for me. I really don't want to give a spoiler because I always try to avoid those in my reviews, but I will say this: if you're sensitive toward mental illness, it might insult you. I didn't like how the author wrapped up the ending. It was like snap and over, explained, but not really explained, because that's not how it works at all. I would've much preferred LaValle had just left that out. But I guess it was a set up for Loochie's character in his next book. 2.5 stars
 - Victor Lavalle)
