The Land of Decoration: A Novel by Grace McCleen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reading The Land of Decoration was a unique experience. It was imaginative and hopeful, philosophical and dark, fascinating and disturbing, and brilliant. It was not an easy read, but it was definitely compelling. Sometimes the experiences were very uncomfortable and upsetting, as when Judith cleans up after the boys deface the sidewalk in front of her house. But, Judith has this inner strength about her that makes you as the reader want to be strong on her behalf, even as you cringe and want to look away. This story gives the reader a great deal to consider about religion, sanity, philosophy, psychology, and humanity. The author offers up few answers, and the book is all the better for it. If you should visit The Land of Decoration with it’s candy-wrapper lakes and pipe-cleaner people, be prepared to be challenged. Like Judith, you will spend much time pondering, even long after you’ve turned the final page.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that I received a review copy from the publisher.