This book is a fascinating exploration of time, life, death and memory, which is written in a very interesting and readable way, and which delves into some very reflective and philosophicalthemes. It is, however, far too long, and very dense. Reading it felt like a slog, no matter how bizarre and intriguing the plot, and that plot often adds to the confusion, with the incomprehensible twists that one should probably expect from magical realism. Further, the repetition of names is very confusing from a practical perspective, though interesting as a plot device. Overall, a good book, a really interesting book, just not one which is particularly easy to read.