I gave this book the benefit of the doubt because it seemed like it was going somewhere, but it turns out it was going to the most obvious and hacky place it possibly could have. The moment-to-moment writing is good, but the plot is frustrating because the protagonist simply refuses to engage with it. Repeatedly, he's told things that he doesn't understand and he essentially shrugs and keeps going without seeking any clarification - often even telling other characters that he understands what they mean when he absolutely does not. And there is a reason for that, but it is absolutely not a satisfying one and it takes far too long to get to it.

Despite its flaws, it might have worked as a short story. But it does not work as a novel.