I'm joining Kat and the Unravelers today with a bit of progress on the pair of socks.
Pattee's portrayal of Annie's internal struggles while making her way on buckled highways and past crushed buildings—her reflections on a faltering marriage, unfulfilled career aspirations, and impending motherhood—adds depth to the survival narrative. The novel effectively captures the protagonist's anxieties and desires, making her a realistic and relatable figure for many readers.
I found that the novel's pacing occasionally faltered, with the non-linear narrative and some of the introspective passages slowing down the otherwise tense story. Additionally, certain inconsistencies, such as descriptions of Annie's attire, may momentarily disrupt immersion. But Pattee's prose is well-written, so I could imagine Annie's sunburn, intense thirst, and the horrific magnitude of the chaos. I started reading the book without any idea of the storyline and found it quite unsettling, but that was mainly because it was such an intense subject. The ending felt incomplete and open-ended.
Overall, Tilt is a compelling exploration of human resilience and vulnerability in the face of catastrophe. While it has its imperfections, the novel's raw emotional portrayal and thought-provoking themes make it a worthwhile read. Three and a half stars but I couldn't round up because of that ending.