by Francisco X. Stork
Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear--part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify--and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm.
He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file -- a picture of a girl with half a face -- that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight.
Reminiscent of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" in the intensity and purity of its voice, this extraordinary novel is a love story, a legal drama, and a celebration of the music each of us hears inside.
This was published on my birthday this year, which means it would have been a great present to myself, if I had known about it. However, I didn't; I only recently found out about it, but ever since I saw a friend's review, I've been thinking about it. I loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and though I don't think the two should be compared just because they deal with autistic narrators, if Marcello captures any of the magic that Curious Incident did, it's a must-read. Anyone read it?
What's on your wishlist?
One of the best books I've ever read. Love it. You will love it, too. You should totally read it. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... I kind of love that cover!
ReplyDeleteThe actual BOOK sounds good too. ;)