The Book of Dahlia Book

I was expecting certain things from this novel: a smart-ass protagonist, contemporary cultural references, dark humor, and maybe some cheesy Life Lessons since it's about terminal illness. Thankfully, I found only the first three.

Female anti-heroes are pretty rare -- and Dahlia is prizeworthy as a creation who will stick in your memory. Prickly-sympathetic, her rough edges are not dulled by platitudes or chicklit conventions. The novel's structure is in fact the anti-chick novel, which is pretty awesome right there.

But what really surprised me was the writing. Sharp writing that self-consciously smacks the reader in the face at times and at other moments sneaks up on you with a jujitsu throw of such beauty, you have to catch your breath.

And isn't that what it's all about, really?