Edward ChampionReading a Victor LaValle novel is like rooting for a losing football team with an impressive roster of players committed to amazing drives up the field, but who cannot seem to get it together in the playoffs. The guy is so CLOSE to greatness, but blows it every time. You want the guy to win, but he doesn't. Is it self-sabotage? Cluelessness? Who can say? I'm a foolish optimist on my fifth LaValle book. I want him to win, but will he? Probably not.