A Visit from the Goon Squad is a collection of short stories that are linked together in an intricate pattern which leaves nothing but an excellent novel behind. Each chapter is told from a different perspective providing the reader with a short glimpse into the lives of the characters as they cope with aging and regret. The characters in each chapter have all been connected at various stages of their lives which is what aids in leaving the reader with the feeling that they have read one cohesive novel instead of 13 individual stories. Egan has a gift for prose and managed to change the voice of each chapter to match that of the character narrating completely. This effectively thrusts the reader into the mindset of each the character leaving us with the feeling that we know every detail about each their personalities, faults and lives. I recommend this novel if only to experience Egan's unique writing style.
