The Interrogative Mood
by Padgett Powell
(Profile Books, R169.95)
There really is no way this book should work. Padgett Powell has written an entire novel (depending on how far you stretch that term) in the form of questions.
Plot and character have been jettisoned for lighter stuff – question after random question. But the cumulative effect of these never-ending questions is unexpected – instead becoming alienating or irritating, as you might expect, they draw you in, making the reader a vital element of the story.
The questions Powell asks are very specific, so you are forced to think about them (for quite a while, in some cases) in an attempt to come up with an answer.
A sample: “Would you think peculiar a man who, upon the demise of his last pet, had it mounted and swore off any more live pets? If you could witness a whirling dervish performance or a full-blown municipal riot, which would you take? Would you feel better if you could put on a pair of good hand-made shoes and just walk around? Would you like to go to Pondicherry? When you make a grilled-cheese sandwich, assuming you butter the bread (and if you don’t, just take a break here), can you detail the manner in which you butter the bread? When was the last time you saw a peacock, and when was the last time you were completely not nervous?”
It took me ages to read this book, mostly because it felt like what I’d imagine a thorough interrogation to be like. But in the process I was charmed, intrigued and taught a few things about myself – which is not bad going for a novel. – Iolandi Pool