The Enchanted

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have never read a book like The Enchanted. Denfield is fascinatingly creative in her writing style. The story takes place on death row through the eyes of an inmate who cannot or will not speak. However, his story takes the back burner as he describes this enchanted place that is the prison.

He discusses the story of The Lady (an investigator) and The Priest (a fallen priest who provides comfort to those who will die). In the eyes of the inmate, the prison is an enchanted place with monsters, magic, love and peace.

While the story is quite dark, I couldn't help but be riveted by Denfeld's imagery and prose.

"The fresh tumbling water makes her think of drinking and thirst and the hunger she has always felt-- if she could swim in this creek, and wade away to forever, she might be whole."

This book is like no other. Read it if only to experience transcendence in the most unlikely of places.

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