A review by miramichireader
Too Much on the Inside by Danila Botha

4.0

While Too Much on the Inside may not be a book I would have picked up for my own reading pleasure, I found myself being drawn into it for several reasons. Firstly, I lived in Toronto for about 20 years, some of those spent in the Queen Street West area of Parkdale close to where Dez' bar is located. I recognized the street names and could picture the scenes in my mind's eye. I also lived near the Bathurst and Lawrence area where the character Nicki stays when she first arrives in Canada. It is a very Jewish neighbourhood where her orthodox cousins live. Thirdly, Ms. Botha's writing style as well as the book's unique layout drew me in which is difficult to describe. Due to the narrative style, I at times felt like a psychiatrist and each of the characters were my patients, each using their scheduled appointment to relate their emotions and deepest thoughts to me. Indeed, many of the narratives conclude with comments like: "Sometimes he doesn't get me at all" "The times I spend living instead of thinking are the times that I convince myself that I'm the happiest" "I start to think that I might really be going out of my mind".

At other times, I felt like a priest hearing a confessional. It is a very engaging writing style, and not one I have come across before. The story of each character unfolds in a sort of backwards/forwards kind of way. As we learn about their past, the story actually moves forward and we eventually come to understand if not empathizing or even sympathizing with the character and his/her problems.
You can read the rest of my review at my site: www.MiriamichiReader.ca