Unnameables

by Ellen Booraem

[Joséphine]

At the beginning I felt that the style of writing was kinda dry and the pace at which the narration was set up was unyieldingly slow. After reading on though, I thought that it was a smart choice on Ellen Booraem's part. Introducing the setting and the characters before delving into the plot allowed for a greater appreciation and understanding of what was happening.

The reason I loved this novel were the way the themes were explored while bringing alive this rather mystical world with a historical feel. Everything takes place on an island called Island. Not just the island is named for what it is though. The people are named according to what they do — Boyce Carver, Twig Carpenter, Deemer Learned, etc. — and objects too have been renamed to better describe their purpose. Only Medford Runyuin, a foundling, does not have a proper name in their culture. Things that have no purpose and are thus superfluous are referred to as useless at best. Things which are useless and are said to bring harm upon the Islanders are referred to as unnameables.

As the novel unfolds, questions unfurl about the use of language and how it shapes a culture, the purpose of work, the need for history and the place of aesthetics in every life. Beyond these themes which tie everything together, power and politics also are explored at a village level. What happens when people oppose those who are in power? And how does one deal with foreigners who are vastly different, like the Goatman who visits the Island and wreaks havoc with the winds?

While reading the book, I was decidedly fascinated by the exploration of all these themes. The plot was elaborate enough to keep a reader going but it the questions that arouse about things we take for granted in our daily lives which made it something other than just another 3-star book that whiles away the time. This was especially because Booraem managed to balance characterization, plot and metaphysics such that all were developed throughout the book. Perhaps part of the appeal I found in this book also has something to do with being a sociology major. Either way, I would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat because I thought it was a charmingly thought-provoking read.