Nothing to See Here
by Kevin Wilson
Quirky and madcap fun (6/12/2019)
I'd previously read Kevin Wilson's THE FAMILY FANG, so I was prepared for another novel with his unique blend of wit, strangeness, charm, and wild originality.
NOTHING TO SEE HERE certainly delivers on some of that promise, but it also left me wanting a bit more. FANG had truly wonderful characters -- thoroughly believable, with authentic and compelling voices. You couldn't help but feel drawn into their lives, and it was clear how much affection Wilson had for them himself. With NOTHING TO SEE HERE, I never really found my way into his characters or into the tender heart of his story.
I was reminded of both Daryl Gregory's SPOONBENDERS and Chloe Benjamin's THE IMMORTALISTS. Both of those novels share some plot similarities and a certain sense of zany mischief with NOTHING TO SEE HERE. With both those novels, the supernatural plot device that drives the story ultimately isn't what's important. It's the people! And I fell in love with both those families and their stories. Both novels had soul. Here, alas, Wilson's device feels at times like a "gimmick" that distracted me from his characters.
But, for all that, this is an undeniably fun and enjoyable read. Wilson is a deeply funny man, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments. The story zips along to a satisfying conclusion. I was pleased to have read it.
