I can't say that I loved Big Machine, but I have great admiration for its author, Victor LaValle, and his decision to construct a narrative that is original, engaging, and surprising.  I haven't read anything like it, didn't realize it was (sort of) sci-fi, and love that the cast included black folks who don't often get to play the hero in literary fiction.  I'm not sure I can actually summarize the bizarre plot, but the very ordinary tone and realism of the book are actually what makes it...