Do you ever finish a book and just think "ah, right, I really do love reading"? It's been awhile since I became so involved in a book that, when I put it down, was actually disoriented. Where am I, again?

So, that is to say: This is beautiful. The blurb on the back describes the book as "kaleidoscopic," which is spot-on. I love the pairing of blurring the lines between fiction-nonfiction and life-death. Every scene in this book that speculates what comes after death is fictional, while all exposition of the living is nonfictional -- I loved that. Big questions. No answers, which is great. It's an exploration of what it means to lose and grieve and let go. I love this form. I love the unfinished sentences (SO much) and all of Willie's sections and the perfect adaption to language. I love this weird mixing of real and fiction. Yeah, it's stunning.

Also: Willie's last section in the book?? Oh?? My god?? I'm not the kind of person who cries while reading/watching movies, but I had to set the book down and take a second. It is devastatingly beautiful. God. Wow. It is the contrast between the party happening (and probably tormenting him) during his death and then, later, him talking about all the things he gets to do at said party after he's dead. It got me and is still getting to me and I will be thinking about this section for a very long time. It's the letting go and the acceptance of the whole terrible thing -- I find it hard to do much more than open and close my mouth like some kind of awed fish. God. It makes me wish I had friends who read this stuff. You will want to talk about this with someone, I think.