As I mentioned about my relationship with abusive literature earlier…I freaking love this shit. So I hated Harkaway’s latest novel then, right? Oh no. When my wife asked me how Gnomon was, I could only offer, “That was the most disorienting book I’ve ever read.” And I meant it. Lost yet? Feel free to blame my haphazard attempts at summarizing this book, but the real problem may lie with the material itself. And without even beginning to attempt to dive too deep into the plot(s), let alone spoil it, I will share with you that the book is an exploration of Hunter’s final thoughts and dreams, as viewed by Neith. We follow Detective Neith as she utilizes the Witness to investigate the wrongful death-by-interrogation of a quirky and enigmatic lady named Diana Hunter. Throughout the book, we are privy to a number of characters, to the effect that it’s hard to lock down a true protagonist, but a safe bet would be Detective Mielikki Neith. Image provided by Pixabay User SaraRichterArt Written in 2017, but set in a distant (or somewhat distant) future, this story dives into a Great Britain that is omni-connected by a super internet referred to as “The Witness”. Nick Harkaway’s latest novel, Gnomon, was the finest example of me begging for more literary beatings to date. However, when it comes to books that slap us around with their lofty vocabulary skills and maze-like, multilayered plots, I for one reason or another, am always hungry for more pain. By most standards, I do not fit the definition of a “masochist”.

Gnomon novel