“He turned into the road at that slow and ponderous gallop, the two of them, man and beast, leaning a little stiffly forward as though in some juggernautish simulation of terrific speed though the actual speed itself was absent, as if in that cold and implacable and undeviating conviction of both omnipotence and clairvoyance of which they both partook known destination and speed were not necessary.”

This was my first read of the 2016 Booker Longlist. I enjoyed the dread an uncertainty throughout. I would have liked a bit more at the end. Not much more though. I've enjoyed thinking back through to work out the meaning of certain elements. An impressive, if disturbing, debut.

All along this was a very enjoyable read; a very solid 4+ out of 5. However Boyd's move from genre and the specific to his very brief, but beautiful pivot to the all-embracing, universal truth placed this higher in my estimation and I look forward to reading more of his work. 5/5