Jonathan Safran Foer’s "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" is a novel that, at its heart, is about loss and the various ways people try to cope with it. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a total downer, because this book is also full of wit, heart, and some of the most innovative storytelling you’ll ever come across.

The novel follows the story of Oskar Schell, a precocious nine-year-old who is dealing with the death of his father in the aftermath of 9/11. Oskar discovers a key in his father’s closet with the word “black” on it and decides to embark on a mission to find out what it unlocks. His search leads him on a journey through New York City, as he meets a cast of quirky characters and learns more about his father’s life than he ever imagined.

What’s so impressive about Foer’s writing is his ability to take such a dark subject matter and inject it with humor and whimsy. Oskar’s narration is witty and full of clever wordplay, which makes the moments of heartbreak all the more poignant. The book also incorporates a number of creative storytelling techniques, such as photographs, illustrations, and even blank pages to convey Oskar’s grief and isolation.

But while the book is certainly inventive and entertaining, it never loses sight of its emotional core. Oskar’s journey is one of self-discovery and healing, as he comes to terms with the loss of his father and learns to connect with the people around him. Foer’s writing is empathetic and insightful, capturing the complexities of grief in a way that feels both universal and deeply personal.

In the end, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" is a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. As Oskar says in the book, “If things were easy to find, they wouldn't be worth finding.” And this book is definitely worth finding.

As Stephen Hawking writes in the letter that Oskar receives at the end of his journey, "We are all time-travelers, journeying together into the future. But let us work together to make that future a place we want to visit." Foer’s novel is a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit.