Incendiary, Chris Cleave
I have to admit as I was in the midst of reading this novel my first reaction was to put it down and find a replacement book this week. The book is written in letter format from the perspective of a devastated working-class woman in London who lost her husband and son to a Islamic terrorist bombing. She writes the novel length letter to one of the most notorious war criminals of our time, none other than Osama Bin Laden. This letter ultimately becomes the woman's only form of solace as she pours her heart out to the man who took away her life, sanity, and loved ones. As one might imagine, this was not one of the most uplifting books.....
With that being said, it was not until I completely finished the book and took time to process it in its entirety that I truly was able to appreciate its ultimate message. The book was not supposed to be uplifting, easy, or pretty for that matter. Yes, it was dark. Yes, it was cynical. Yes, it was disturbing. But that is what gives it its eerily authentic prose. It's unfortunately believable to some extent.
Themes of the timeless question of good versus evil and forgiveness versus vengeance, inundate the story line from beginning to end. Ultimately, the novel has less to do with terrorism itself and more to do with the the woman's inner battle to become the victim or the survivor in her post-terrorist world. The disturbing tone of the book is subsequently balanced by the woman's constant fight for resiliency, forgiveness, and inner strength- even if it is accomplished in unconventional manners.
Next week, I vow to find myself a bit more of a lighter read....
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