I love Brian Morton's writing. The past year I've been reading two literary novels a week, not only to enjoy the stories, but also because I'm writing a novel and wanting to learn through reading the craft of superb novel writing. There are few better than Morton. Starting Out in the Evening is a classic; the Dylanist is an excellent read. Breakable You is not his best - we witness too much the demise of some of the characters, one (Eleanor) is uninteresting and Adam is unsympathetic. the main characters two slide downhill, a third seems to be very slowly awakening, and the fourth at least for awhile comes fully to life. But Morton's portrayal of character and elucidation of their inner experience, in all its complexities, ambivalences and often horrors, is unparalleled. This is a painful novel; Morton does not shrink from portraying desperation, or the ugliness of both inner and outer life. But he also writes beautiful graceful prose, capturing the subtleties of life in very precise and often vivid language, injecting occasional insights which make the reader stop and pause to reflect. Both he, and most of his characters, come across as very intelligent, and attuned to the intricacies of the psyche and personal relationships. The best part of Breakable You is Morton's portrayal of both Maud and Samir, and the process of their non-relationship developing into a true relationship. Morton's portrayal of them is deeply engrossing, highly original and extremely perceptive. Of This is not a happy novel, but it may touch you deeply, and penetrate parts of yourself that you may otherwise hesitate to acknowledge or reveal. I recommend it, but suggest that you first experience Morton at his best in Starting Out in the Evening.

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