Have you ever wondered what a metaphysical novel would be like, in just 120 pages? If so, then read Liquidation, because this is one.
This novel is a story that revolves on a few characters that are inter-related. There's the writer B (Bee), who commits suicide. His close friends are shocked.
The novel actually focuses on how each of his friends deal with the loss. Kingsbitter goes on a mission to uncover the "lost novel" that he thinks great writers like B should leave before committing suicide. Other characers like Sarah and Judit slowly are revealed to be interesting figures who have sexual liaisons with the other folks in the novel.
Given that the novel is just 120 pages long, not a lot of action happens in the narration. The writer lets the reader's brain fill out the missing parts.
Why for example is Kingsbitter so convinced there there is a missing final novel? Why of all people, does he pick Judit as the likely candidate to hold the allegedly missing final novel? Additionally, what is the motive behind Judit's choice to constantly supply B with morphine?
There are plenty of unanswered questions, but this is actually a good thing. It engages the reader into the novel, treating the reader as one more participant in the drama that envelopes these characters.
I must say I am impressed at the way this novel was written. There are several instances in which the perspective switched. One chapter would be written in the point of view of Kingsbitter, and another chapter would be written in the point of view of Judit.
And in another neat trick that this book has, the book actually is a play within a book. The book opens by introducing Kingsbitter, who "discovers" a manuscript for a play. The play then is read, by Kingsbitter (and the reader) and narrates the dynamics between the characters.
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