Official Review: She Pulls Off the Interstate by Eugene Ahn

[L_Therese]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "She Pulls Off the Interstate" by Eugene Ahn.]

A young woman arrives at a run-down building, determined to hide. Although she is constantly watchful and very aware that she may need to leave at any time, life refuses to leave her untouched. Chance encounters with a generous owner of a local diner, a little girl and her father, and homeless man begin shaping the life of “Anna”, the identity adopted by the fugitive woman. But the more “Anna” invests herself in others’ lives, the more vulnerable she becomes, and, soon enough, her past catches up to her and threatens everything she has grown to love.

Mr. Ahn has adopted a very unique writing style for his novel. The entire book is written in the present tense, giving it a feeling of immediacy and a disconnect from both the past and the future which enhances the uncertainty that surrounds Anna as she strives to separate herself from her mysterious past and faces a future filled with so many unknowns. Mr. Ahn also provides almost painfully mundane details of Anna’s surroundings and routines, often in incomplete and choppy sentences.

The feeling these techniques produce is similar to a movie shot from a first-person point of view. It’s awkward like when the camera moves to imitate a head turning or the motion of walking, but its consistency throughout the book allows the reader to become accustomed, and it becomes artistic instead of disagreeable. In my opinion, it enhances the perceived importance of here and now, as if the present held all meaning and reality. The reader is treated to the world from Anna’s point of view, but, up until the very end, with little to no background, explanations, or information as to Anna’s thoughts, feelings, motivations, or memories.

It bears mentioning that this novel is very graphically violent. Early on, the reader recognizes that Anna is no stranger to a lifestyle that accepts and utilizes violence, but every once in a while, the scale of that violence escalates dramatically and becomes shocking. By the end, one wonders how the characters could possibly emerge still emotionally and mentally sound. For many readers, this graphic brutality will be sickening and may make them unwilling or unable to finish the novel.

I would give this novel two out of four stars. In my opinion, the book begins too slowly; one gets tired of reading about Anna buying detergent and such while learning exactly what are the denominations of the bills she uses to pay. Additionally, the scale of the violence greatly hinders my willingness to recommend the book. At the same time, I did appreciate the stylistic elements in the writing as discussed previously. Unfortunately, I have met few people who, when reading a crime thriller, are looking to appreciate its more artistic elements. In short, I enjoyed it, but I fear I may be the minority in that regard.

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[eeahn]

This is an excellent review, very fair and far more in depth than I could have hoped for. As the reviewer rightly considers in her score, my novel probably isn't really what most people look for in a crime thriller. I suppose I also must admit this as well.

Thanks for your time and honesty!