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sarahetc's review
3.0
This was more caricature than character, more tell than show. It was interesting, but I don't know if it was award worthy and I certainly am not grasping at the next Zink that comes along. Her dialogue was interesting and occasionally witty, but most of the rest of her description was MFA 101. Okay. No big deal.
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
A quirky, satirical and very clever look at race, sexuality, family. Gets a little caught up in itself. Wonderful ending.
sarav2207's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dianethelen's review
2.0
This was the strangest book and the hardest book to get through. It was so wordy and disconnected.
whitebreadgf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Extremely zany, it doesn't try and pretend to be a book that most people will like - in this way, it almost perfectly captures the post-war, 'golden age' of America setting. The plot may seem ludicrous to some, a gay man and a lesbian marrying each other, but the race-bending and privilege defying consequences that follow only emphasise just how weird it is to be alive, especially if you're a minority. The book may make some interesting claims regarding race mostly, but at least it makes a stand on the absurdity of this time period that features so much hate and discrimination when everybody is just trying to do the same damn thing; fuck young college girls and write poetry.
I loved Peggy and Lee, and found the most interesting parts of the book were exploring Peggy's relationship with heterosexuality despite being a lesbian. In my opinion, this should have been a bigger focus than it was in the book, but I guess that's not the type of story Zink was trying to tell.
I was in love with the first act, the second act was pretty good too, however I was beginning to get a bit bored by the end since the plot had less time to explore Peggy's inner mind (which was the most interesting part) and instead it focuses more on the actual kids themselves which was kind of a weak point once they grew up. I think if you're on the fence about this book, the first half is definitely worth reading.
I loved Peggy and Lee, and found the most interesting parts of the book were exploring Peggy's relationship with heterosexuality despite being a lesbian. In my opinion, this should have been a bigger focus than it was in the book, but I guess that's not the type of story Zink was trying to tell.
I was in love with the first act, the second act was pretty good too, however I was beginning to get a bit bored by the end since the plot had less time to explore Peggy's inner mind (which was the most interesting part) and instead it focuses more on the actual kids themselves which was kind of a weak point once they grew up. I think if you're on the fence about this book, the first half is definitely worth reading.
kingabee's review against another edition
4.0
Much was made of the fact that Franzen recommended Zink and her books to the world, but I’m glad I read 'Mislaid' regardless. You must know they are nothing alike and Franzen could sit and think for 20 years and he wouldn’t come up with anything nowhere near this zany and inventive. I heard that they just bonded over birds.
I suppose you can say ‘Mislaid’ is an attempt at ‘The Great American novel’. All that will damn you in America is there: race, gender, and poverty. It explains everything so perfectly. The country is hell if you are poor and black but it is also a land of opportunity and all you need to do to get your happy ending is work hard and not give up. Lol. I’m kidding. All you need to do is stop being poor and black and become white and rich instead – yes, so the plot of this book is a little ludicrous and you just have to be on board with that because Zink is trying to say something here.
It’s a story of Peggy, a lesbian liberal arts students who gets pregnant by her gay college professor whom she subsequently marries. Mislaid. MIS-LAID. Get it? It gets weirder from there.
Since Zink keeps a straight poker face throughout the whole thing, including the outlandish ending, some of the reviewers might be forgiven for believing she is for real. But come on. This is not your typical MFA number. There is something brave, maybe even careless or reckless about this novel. The way it tried to talk about race, attacking the supposed new-era ‘colour-blindness’ of the US (especially the South). Zink’s satirical blade is very sharp and she risks being misunderstood. Most readers probably won’t like this book. Don’t be most readers.
I suppose you can say ‘Mislaid’ is an attempt at ‘The Great American novel’. All that will damn you in America is there: race, gender, and poverty. It explains everything so perfectly. The country is hell if you are poor and black but it is also a land of opportunity and all you need to do to get your happy ending is work hard and not give up. Lol. I’m kidding. All you need to do is stop being poor and black and become white and rich instead – yes, so the plot of this book is a little ludicrous and you just have to be on board with that because Zink is trying to say something here.
It’s a story of Peggy, a lesbian liberal arts students who gets pregnant by her gay college professor whom she subsequently marries. Mislaid. MIS-LAID. Get it? It gets weirder from there.
Since Zink keeps a straight poker face throughout the whole thing, including the outlandish ending, some of the reviewers might be forgiven for believing she is for real. But come on. This is not your typical MFA number. There is something brave, maybe even careless or reckless about this novel. The way it tried to talk about race, attacking the supposed new-era ‘colour-blindness’ of the US (especially the South). Zink’s satirical blade is very sharp and she risks being misunderstood. Most readers probably won’t like this book. Don’t be most readers.
mikewardevrybdy's review
1.0
How’d Roxanne Gay & Jonathan Franzen steer me so wrong? This book was awful, literally the Rachel Dolezel book played for serious
bibliobrandie's review
I just couldn't finish it. It started off so well but lost interest about 1/4 into the book. Too bad, I thought I'd really enjoy this one.
lindsayaunderwood's review
3.0
The story got lost for me a little in the middle. No question that Nell Zink is an amazing writer. The end was better than I expected.