This book reads like a young man trying to cope with the untimely loss of his mother more than expected based upon the description. This loss weighs heavily upon almost all characters in this novel. The dedication to the author's mother initiates the intimacy of this purpose, and the coping is filled with destruction and evolution. I didn't like Mack as a character. His tone was my main issue, and I felt uncomfortable reading most of this book. But I think I understand it is part of the process intended here. Despite the flippant tone of our narrator and main character, there is more pain than I expected below the surface, stoking the flames until they explode in a predictably fiery end.

I liked this one better than I expected. Firstly, the protagonist isn't a true arsonist. It's subtle, but we come to realize that his pleasure comes not from fire but from destruction. Its surprisingly relatable in spite of his felonious hobby. Now I didn't love it. Parts of the plot were all over the place. It's not altogether cohesive. Not unpleasant though. Holds up to a single pass.

I'm sorry, I started reading this but I won't be finishing it.