The characters in this book made me feel so much, which is really the primary goal of storytelling, isn't it? So much anger, and fear, and sadness. Even laughter and horror at times. Amazing! So much, in this short little work.

Fuck this was good. I didn't know Martin McDonagh wrote it, but I immediately recognized his sick and twisted voice. Of course the dude who brought us The Pillowman and The Cripple of Inishman would be responsible for this horrifying minimalist drama.

So good, the less you know going in the better.

Martin-goddamnmutharuckin-McDonagh!!!!!!!! A literal masterpiece.

McDonagh is my favorite playwright, and lately he’s made some forays into some other areas. A live performance of A Behanding in Spokane was one of the best things I’ve seen in the last decade. I have yet to see this movie, but I usually make a point to read his work first. This one had all the turgid drama of his previous stuff (and one of the most humane and sad passages I’ve ever read in literature during the police chief’s letter to his wife) and I was fully expecting another five star read; however, I thought ending was a bit contrived, rushed, and unfulfilling so it sorta withered away, as did a star. But still a great read.

What was that ending! I can't tell if I like it or not.