First my declaimer, I've read most of Joanne Harris' novels and there isn't one I haven't thoroughly enjoyed. Blueeyedboy, is one of her finest works to date.
The theme of the novel is about the fluidity of identity and putting fingers to keyboard right now, its always been one of her signature themes. This novel has a darker tone, it is still a playful novel, but there is a dark side to the psyches that are presented here. As with her previous work language is used in both a skilful and playful way. The protagonist's voice, Blueeyed boy himself revels in the language that he uses. Meanings are layered and words are chopped up to subvert and enhance their meaning.
There are two narrators and the strands of story twist and knot and provide a non linear structure. The novel is also written in the form of journal entries like Live Journal and Dream Width and some of the many copies that are out there. The narrators contradict each other and as a reader you cannot trust that anything you are told is truth even in the 'private' entries. The ending is not big on closure and not everyone copes well with books like this and if you don't get on with this style of writing then move on you probably won't get much from this novel.
What I love about Blueeyedboy and Harris' work in general is her descriptive writing. Much of the narrators' ideas are explained in the language of colours and taste. I also love that as a reader you experience the same event multiple times throughout the novel from different perspectives so there isn't any one Truth but a plurality of truths.
I've seen reviewers complain that they have trouble keeping up with the changes in narrators and who don't like the fluidity of the narrative. To be honest I've got little time for these people, I don't like being spoon fed as a reader and enjoy the challenges of working things out and actively enjoy being surprised by an author. I like that Joanne Harris is leading me up the garden path with parts of the narrative, she's so beguiling with her words that I'm happy to be lead.
The novel also resonates with me because I'm one of those users of those journaling sites not the murky depths of badguysrock but I understand these sites and her portrayal of them is refreshingly accurate and completely recognisable.
Awesome book.
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