Pandora's Box

Rating:
Summary: LESS SATISFYING THAN ITS PREDECESSOR...
Review: I enjoyed Alice Thompson's first novel, JUSTINE, much more than PANDORA'S BOX. Both novels are very imaginative and a bit surreal - but these factors were carried a little too far in this book for my tastes. The story was interesting, but the unbelievable aspects of it were too great to be sustained by the acceptance of it as an allegory. Perhaps it was the fact that it was set in the present day - Las Vegas, according to the jacket flap, although I don't recall the city being mentioned by name - that made it a little too hard to swallow. For me, this sort of tale works better when its action takes place in a more ambiguous locale, or perhaps in one that's separated from reality more in space and/or time (upon making this statement, I realize that Las Vegas fits these criteria in some ways, but...).

Allegorical writing must by nature leave questions unanswered - otherwise it would become mere instruction or history (or both). Even at its most fantastic, however, there has to be a certain amount of reality in which to ground the story, or it becomes totally ineffective. I found the book to be mildly entertaining - but the characters weren't nearly as well-developed as those in JUSTINE, nor was the story as compelling.

Alice Thompson has definite talent - I'd love to see her write something a little less hallucinogenic. I'll look for her next book with interest...

Rating:
Summary: Head-spinning
Review: This highly symbolic, fascinating story is sure to keep you just beyond the answers you are looking for. After searching for this book extensively and finally finding it here, I read it in one sitting, and my head is still spinning. Almost an allegory, every charcacter seems to symbolize some deeper meaning or purpose. If you're looking for something to keep your mind busy, this is a book for you!