In a Strange Room Book

Damon Galgut's In a strange Room moves between autobiography and fiction in depicting three separate journeys the author undertook and later published as short stories in the Paris review. The aim seems to be to share his journey of self discovery and his own contemplation of his capacity to love.
The first journey is undertaken with Reiner, a self assured and beautiful German with whom Damon agrees to travel with through Lesotho. The relationship suffers from a power tension primarily because Reiner is in complete control of the finances, subordinating Damon despite his intention to cover his own expenses, and ultimately causing a resentment that he is unable to resolve.
In the second section entitled 'Lover' Damon travels through Africa having joined with a group who have set off together. This journey is underscored with an unrequited sexual tension between himself and fellow traveller Jerome, who appears to be both forward and reticent causing Damon anquish and confusion.
The third journey is spent travelling with Anna, who is supposed to be in recovery following a psychological breakdown, suicidal ideation and alcoholism, but who is subverting all efforts to ensure she gets her head together and testing their friendship.
Written in exquisite prose, Galgut can seamlessly discuss landscape, character flaws, love and longing using as few words as could ever be possible. Much of the story is unfinished and this appears to be the point of the novel, i.e. to consider the possibilities had different decisions been taken, addressing his primal and carnal fears.

Damon Galgut uses third and first person interchangeably in this book, sometimes within a sentence. I wasnt clear why he chose to do this. It obviously had a method to it and perhaps the rationale was to distance himself from decisions he would no longer take, or maybe he is separating his thoughts from his behaviours. It would probably take a second reading to work out the nuances here, which would not be a difficult undertaking.
Although enjoyment would not be an apt way to describe reading a book that is so melancholic, it is fair to say that I certainly appreciated the creative talent of Damon Galgut and this book has something very valuable to say to those people who seem to need to keep moving on in order to find themselves.