14 | The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. | Reading Log 24-25

Picked this one up after reading a positive review; sadly, I found it profoundly underwhelming. The novel is premised on the temporary disappearance of Aidan, who vanishes for six days from his home. When he's returned safely, the meat of the story begins: namely, what actually happened to Aidan? And what is a family to do when the truth is simply too outlandish to believe?

The novel isn't underwhelming due to poor writing. The dialogue is crisp, and there are clearly some important themes of honesty and family and acceptance and the limits of human knowledge being explored. Levithan demonstrates deft facility with the language, even writing in the voice of an 11-year-old.

But the story just goes...nowhere. Nothing resolves, which seems to be sort of the point? Add to that the couple of random culture war issues that get shoehorned seemingly out of nowhere into the book, and overall I found it a waste of potential.

Ah well. They can't all be great, I suppose.