Mathematical theory of optimal processes

Just looking at the first line, the setting is a place that’s threatening to tip over into the unnatural. The uncanny atmosphere is eerily present, like something terrible you can’t look away from, and in fact, want to read more of. Here’s how the description achieves this: The juxtaposition of a tourist-like welcome and the death imagery that follows Very physical descriptions of “unearthed bones” and “a city thrumming” Things are given agency that shouldn’t have agency: the city, dead children Intentions and desires are disconnected from people like bodies without a soul