The Effect of Living Backwards

The Effect of Living Backwards

Last month, I read and enjoyed The Vanishers, a rather bizarre tale of dueling parapsychologists.

I hadn't had quite enough weirdness, so I undertook another book by Heidi Julavits. Living Backwards is the story of two sisters, Alice and Edith, who get hijacked on their way to Edith's wedding by a bizarre set of characters. The story is told from Alice's point of view, with frequent side-bar "Shame Stories" -- stories that Alice has invented about the people she meets.

If you're looking for a story with a straight narrative, this isn't it. In fact, it's a little difficult to make out exactly what did happen in this book. But for a rollicking tale of absurdity and sibling rivalry, interspersed with a threat of maybe-terrorism, this book can't be beat!