Crossings

This book was a surprise. I wanted to love it as the synopsis is exactly my favorite and it totally lived up to my hopes. It’s an excellent story, well written if at times a bit too descriptive and long winded. But it was so originally done that I am blown away. I absolutely loved it. It was so inventive. Like a mix of those pick your own story books I read as a kid (of course I read it as the novel because that’s my jam over short stories - and I highly recommend doing that as well. One caveat - I hope in the final version all the links are actually correct as I had to make some guesses in this draft) combined with a mix of both Claire North’s the first fifteen lives of Harry August and the touch. But I only mean it reminded me a bit of those books as it stands completely on its own. I will certainly be looking to get a finished copy and think this book will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this book. This is no way affects my opinion or my review.

'Crossings' is a layered story about the perilous journey of souls, eyes, book binding, and poetry. It’s an inventive book that can be read two ways. The first way is called ‘The Baroness Sequence’ which beings on page 150 and at the end, prompts you to the next chapter in the book. This way, it can be read as a time travel tale, hopping from different characters and time periods, linked together with details that writes its own over-arching story within the book. The second way to read the book is consecutively beginning with the first chapter and so on. I absolutely loved having a choice of how to read the book, because it was unique and immersive.

I won’t give away the plot, but the story is prefaced with a bookbinder who has been tasked to bind a rare manuscript for a very wealthy client. She is later found dead with her eyes missing and so begins this intricate and sinuous story. The famous adage “the eyes are the windows to the soul” plays a very big role in this book, infusing the story with a romantic and metaphysical narrative arc.

It’s supernatural and timeless, global and literary. I adore stories about wanderlust that have a fantastical element which this book so masterfully executed. I couldn’t put it down and perhaps its soul was speaking to my eyes, keeping them glued to its pages and words?

Y'all this book is pure gold.

There are two ways from which you can choose to read it, or go crazy and read it twice, once each way!
You can read it is if it were a normal book (which it is, kinda, but also isn't) cover to cover. If you choose this way the book reads as a series of loosely connected short story collections. Or, you can read it the Baroness Sequence Pagination, aka seemingly all over the place; however, this way, it reads as a novel brilliantly weaving together generations of storylines that cross generations, oceans, genders, languages, and social standings.

Although I choose to read Crossings using the Baroness Sequence Pagination, as soon as I got to the end, I wanted to immediately re-read it from cover to cover to see how the experience differed!

The intricairies of this storytelling combined with the naunaces of the charecters make for an engaging read from which you will have to drag yourself away from, I was legit tempted to call in sick to work to keep reading Crossings. Excellent read.

Crossings should be in everyone's hand at the beach this summer, absolutely brilliant.

Crossings by Alex Landragin is an ingenious piece of art that simply cannot be labeled as just under one genre.

This book is part fiction, part historical fiction, part paranormal, part suspense, all wrapped up together into a masterpiece.

When the reader begins to read this book they find that they need to decide one of two ways to read through the pages to find out the true plot and ending. It would actually be useful to read it both ways, but it doesn’t matter how one uncovers the plot, it is the journey that is delicious. That is not to say that the final product isn’t tasty, it is just that adding all the ingredients together is just as exciting and worthwhile. As the reader continues on, they find how the three stories that at first seem completely different, all interweaving into the finished product.

Just pure brilliance. So unique and so unforgettable.

5/5 stars!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, and I'm so glad I requested it! I'm a big fan of word games, and twisty-turny stories that pretzel around, and CROSSINGS delivers.

Without spoiling the plot, there are two ways to read this book - one is the 'traditional' straight way through, the other is the "Baroness' way, which jumps between chapters in a quasi-Choose Your Own Adventure mode. I chose to start with the Baroness' "path".

The story ranges across decades and continents, and characters reappear like old friends but in different situations, as we encounter both fictional and real-life personages (including Beaudelaire and Coco Chanel).

I recommend this book for all fans of creative fiction - especially fans of David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas". Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected ARC in exchange for an honest review.