I think my problem with this book is that for a very long time I genuinely believed Peter Van Houten’s assistant was just Gus. And near the end of the book with Houten being at the funeral, at the burial, all that, I really began to think he was a projection of Hazel’s mind and she was dead. 

THAT is how out of pocket that whole storyline felt to me. It was so odd and specific and unbelievable that near the end of the book I was like oh my god! This is about to be really juicy. I felt like the book was going to - 

Just end. A la An Imperial Affliction. 

Something. Anything to tie that all in making it very necessary. Otherwise I just don’t understand how it served to advance the plot at all. 

There was even a moment that I thought Hazel was in on it. I thought they are just brainy kids who are going to use this as a funny way to say true things to each other with the ruse of writing to an author.

And THEN when we got to Amsterdam I was sure that they were going to fight when she realized there was no author and there was no assistant but surprise! I really love you and here we are among the tulips before we die.

Anyway, that’s my main critique of the book. I liked a bunch of stuff. It made me smile. It made me chuckle in some parts. The most memorable bit was when he described the shade of a tree as “lacy.” I actually adore that.