I got this fair-condition softcover from a local Salvation Army thrift store, for another release copy. It's the novel that inspired the 2008 film.

I'd read rave reviews of the book and the movie, but I'm never sure that my own opinion will match. But in this case the book's worth the praise! It's an unusual mix of funny, charming, twisty, and gut-wrenchingly depressing - hard to pull off... From the opening ("I have been arrested. For winning a quiz show.") I loved main character Thomas' rather deadpan tone, even in the face of horrible events - and the book starts out with some very nasty ones, as he undergoes torture from the police chief who wants him to confess that he cheated. I read this and was thinking "Wait, this was praised as an upbeat story, wasn't it? Is this the same story?" But soon events took their first of many swerves, and I happily went along for the ride. There were more surprises in store for me, right up to the end, and I enjoyed them all. Excellent book!

[There's a TV Tropes page on the film, and another on the novel, but if you haven't read the book or seen the film first, beware of spoilers.]

I left this book in the Little Free Library at around 4; hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the 2016 You're Such an Animal release challenge. ***

*** Released as part of the 2016 Movie release challenge. ***