Sooo I just finished “Katja From the Punk Band” a couple of days ago, having enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s written entirely in present tense which I found both slightly disconcerting and extremely refreshing. Probably, and unsurprisingly, the “punkiest” of Simon’s work so far, the book still has many of his other trademarks and much for both we longtime fans and new readers to enjoy.
There’s a whole cast of crazy, intriguing and deeply messed up characters, although only the most central receive full development. The narrative is not always told in chronological order, but the shifts are generally easy to follow, especially once you realize what’s happening. The pace is quick and yet little is resolved until very near the end…and even then, some character’s fates are never really known, and the ending is quite open. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Katja. The short chapters and frequent cliffhangers keep you turning the page, even though you know the next chapter probably won’t contain the resolution of the last cliffhanger, making this a most unique and enjoyable reading experience. I highly recommend it.
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