Readers' ability to catch references in experimental novels makes all the difference to their reading experiences. While I caught the current events references in The Infernal, I think many of the literary references escaped me, and I think this prevented a good reading experience from turning into a great one.

Doten's funhouse mirror reimagining of post-Iraq-War-era personalities big and small (L. Paul Bremer, Condoleeza Rice, Jeff Gannon, et al.) is both bemusing and amusing, and I have the impression there's more than meets the eye to the recurring motifs (sycamore trees, the murder or suicide of young boys, birds) within their individually narrated chapters that might become clearer upon rereading.

I think this is probably the key that would turn The Infernal from a good read into a great one for me; however, I failed to catch just enough of these elements on the first go-through that I'm not motivated to dive right back in for another.