Math, Money, Monsters, and Magicians A review of The Peculiarities.

 Where have the books by David Liss been all my life?

I like books that are different, odd, and peculiar and The Peculiarities certainly is. You want creepy, murderous monsters? Liss gives us The Elegants. We have some kindly werewolves, people who turn into trees, mathematical solutions, and the infamous Aleister Crowley, a real person (though odd) borrowed from history. Holding the story together is the protagonist, Thomas, who responds to the bizarre goings-on as a proper Victorian gentleman. When asked by a man married to a werewolf what he thinks of that, Thomas replies, "I celebrate your domestic happiness." He always has the right, though often baffled, reply.

Thomas grows as a character. At the beginning, when his brother demands he marry a certain woman, Thomas can't imagine marrying a Jewish woman. As the novel goes on, Thomas realizes how narrow his rich white man Victorian view has been. A new world, and worlds, open to him.

The Peculiarities is strange and humorous, gory and startling, and thought-provoking while being lots of fun to read. 

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an eARC in return for an honest review.