Intermezzo

4.5 stars

I didn’t cry, I merely let my eye water flow out without holding back. But for real, this book made me cry in such a weird way. Not an ugly cry, not a quick cry, a long-winded, “my eyes are constantly wet”-cry. Right from the start this book immersed me into the feelings and thoughts of Ivan and Peter. Their points of view were distinct and different, yet the parallels were shining through everywhere. I can’t really put my finger on why this book pulled me in so much though, maybe it simply comes down to good writing.

I kept waiting for either or both of them to have a full breakdown, and to find their way back to each other. I am so used to darker emotional books that the less dramatic resolution of problems surprised me here, but it wasn’t a let down, it didn’t feel anticlimactic. It felt realistic and raw.

If I had to fault one thing, it would probably be the lack of verbs in Peter’s point of view. I got used to it over time, but I can safely say I would prefer actual sentences for my reading flow.