In the book 'One Rainy Day in May' by Mark Z. Danielewski, readers are introduced to a complex narrative involving nine characters whose lives become intertwined after a little girl named Xanther finds a mysterious kitten. The story unfolds through various perspectives, ranging from Xanther's family members to individuals like a gang member, computer scientists on the run, and a mystic in Mexico. As the plot progresses, hints of bizarre and otherworldly events emerge, hinting at a deeper connection between the characters and the mysterious kitten found by Xanther. The writing style in the book is described as a mix of prose and poetry, evocative and philosophical, with each character's unique voice presented in a visually distinct manner.

Characters:

The characters are numerous but often lack depth in the initial volume, with some, like Xanther, being more developed than others.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style merges poetic elements with prose and experimental typography, sometimes relying on clichés and uneven execution.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a young girl and her quest for a pet during a rainy day, interweaving various storylines and characters that are often only loosely connected.

Setting:

The setting is contemporary Los Angeles on a rainy day, providing a backdrop for diverse characters and their intersecting lives.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, resembling the setup of a serialized TV show with multiple storylines and minimal immediate resolution.

Notes:

Mark Z. Danielewski is known for his experimental writing style, blending various genres and forms.

The Familiar is intended to be a series of 27 volumes, but only 5 have been published so far.

The first volume of The Familiar, titled One Rainy Day in May, focuses on a twelve-year-old girl named Xanther.

Xanther's story intertwines with several other characters, including her parents and a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Danielewski uses distinct typefaces to identify different characters, which some readers find confusing or impractical.

The book contains innovative graphic elements, with certain pages featuring single words or stylized layouts.

Many reviews liken the reading experience to that of a television series, with the first volume setting up multiple storylines.

Some readers feel the novel is a slow build and may require patience, as it primarily establishes characters rather than advancing the plot significantly in the first volume.

The familiar theme of a cat serves as a link between the diverse narratives in the book.

The physical book is notably heavy, making it challenging to read for some.

Danielewski's writing style includes a mix of prose and poetry, and he often delves into philosophical themes.

Graphic interventions in the text, such as color-coded paragraphs and unorthodox formatting, aim to enhance the reading experience but can be perceived as excessive by some reviewers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Potential triggers include mental health struggles, cultural stereotypes, and graphic depictions of violence.

From The Publisher:

NATIONAL BEST SELLER

The Familiar Volume 1 Wherein the cat is found . . .

From the author of the internationalbest seller House of Leaves and National Book Award-nominated Only Revolutions comes a monumental new novel as dazzling as it is riveting. The Familiar (Volume 1) ranges from Mexico to Southeast Asia, from Venice, Italy, to Venice, California, with nine lives hanging in the balance, each called upon to make a terrifying choice. They include a therapist-in-training grappling with daughters as demanding as her patients; an ambitious East L.A. gang member contracted for violence; two scientists in Marfa, Texas, on the run from an organization powerful beyond imagining; plus a recovering addict in Singapore summoned at midnight by a desperate billionaire; and a programmer near Silicon Beach whose game engine might unleash consequences far exceeding the entertainment he intends. At the very heart, though, is a twelve-year-old girl named Xanther who one rainy day in May sets out with her father to get a dog, only to end up trying to save a creature as fragile as it is dangerous . . . which will change not only her life and the lives of those she has yet to encounter, but this world, too-or at least the world we think we know and the future we take for granted.

(With full-color illustrations throughout.)

THE FAMILIAR continues...

The Familiar Volume 2Wherein the cat is hungry . . .

The Familiar Volume 3 Wherein the cat is blind . . .

The Familiar Volume 4 Wherein the cat is toothless . . .

The Familiar Volume 5Wherein the cat is named . . .

Ratings (3)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (8)

2 comment(s)

ehanut203

Did Not Like

5 months

Look, there's a challenging book with an interesting premise, and then there's just showing off with weird typefaces and what you imagined postmodernism to be when you were high. I just can't with this book.

grithic

Incredible

9 months

There's a bit of a learning curve with this, but once you get into the swing of things it's pretty hard to put down. It is definitely not for everyone, but I loved all the little clues and quirks. I can't wait for the next one.

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One Rainy Day in May

Mark Z. Danielewski

Book 1 in the series:The Familiar