Seven Types of Ambiguity is the current "it" book in Horstmania. I bought December of '09 and it has since gradually made the rounds to Lauren and Mom receiving near universal praise. It tells the story of Simon, a man obsessed with his ex-girlfriend Anna and the dramatic actions he undertakes in order to reenter her life. The book is a Horstmanian classic for three main reasons. Firstly, the plot is told in a Rashomon-esque style with each section being narrated by a different character who has their own unique voice. Secondly, the language is on the whole stunning, so much so that I'll add a few quotes at the end of this entry in an attempt to get you hooked. Thirdly, the character of Angel(a)(ique) is heart breakingly well drawn, her depth and sweetness are what elevates Seven Types from being a good book to an all time great. By the way, Seven Types set a record by winning more of my year end awards than other book, although this is largely due to 2009 being a slow year for literature. On to quotes:
“He was one of the loneliest people you don’t see anymore.”
“Hell is the special pain that dwells in that loss which you yourself have caused.”
“The ability to relive past emotional states is both an aptitude and a curse. It’s a curse because it doesn’t allow you to get on with your life. Every cut, every bruise, every rejection, yields a harvest which is then stored. The pain is kept on ice and can be relied upon to taste as fresh as the day it was inflicted.”
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