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conveniencestorewoman's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cody240fc's review
4.0
One of the smarter novels I've read in some time. Kunzru tackles several powerful themes, particularly the growing sense of paranoia and dread that so many are feeling today. Our protagonist identifies several components that ultimately lead to his breakdown; the complexity of the world and our individual insignificance as role players, the role of fear in society, a loss of our individual depth due to overexposure, loss of privacy, and lastly, a growing sense of isolation. It makes for heavy reading but I found much to gleam from it.
I've seen a few complaints about the seemingly random insertion of Monika's back story, but that diversion actually serves as a springboard for our protagonist. Hearing about the surveillance culture Monika grew up in allows him to make the final leap into full paranoia. If it was real once upon a time, there is no reason it cannot be real once again.
I also appreciated Kunzru's questioning of the status quo. We have been told so many times what the status quo is that we no longer question what is acceptable and what is not. In a passage concerning his work with therapists and psychoanalysts, the protagonist says this, "Their work was predicated on the assumption that the world is bearable, and anyone who finds it otherwise should be coaxed or medicated into acceptance. But what if it isn't? What if the reasonable reaction is endless horrified screaming?"
Again, this all sounds very dark and depressing, and it is. But Kunzru does suggest an antidote for us. Something that can rescue us from our anxieties. Togetherness. To understand and appreciate the importance of reciprocity with one another. He concludes, "Alone, we are food for the wolves. That's how they want us. Isolated. Prey. So we must find each other. We must remember that we do not exist alone."
It's a weird story, but it's a powerful one too. Even if the plot is too strange for your taste, by the conclusion of the novel you will appreciate the books' qualities. High four stars, and I wouldn't be surprised if I go up to five as I digest it further.
I've seen a few complaints about the seemingly random insertion of Monika's back story, but that diversion actually serves as a springboard for our protagonist. Hearing about the surveillance culture Monika grew up in allows him to make the final leap into full paranoia. If it was real once upon a time, there is no reason it cannot be real once again.
I also appreciated Kunzru's questioning of the status quo. We have been told so many times what the status quo is that we no longer question what is acceptable and what is not. In a passage concerning his work with therapists and psychoanalysts, the protagonist says this, "Their work was predicated on the assumption that the world is bearable, and anyone who finds it otherwise should be coaxed or medicated into acceptance. But what if it isn't? What if the reasonable reaction is endless horrified screaming?"
Again, this all sounds very dark and depressing, and it is. But Kunzru does suggest an antidote for us. Something that can rescue us from our anxieties. Togetherness. To understand and appreciate the importance of reciprocity with one another. He concludes, "Alone, we are food for the wolves. That's how they want us. Isolated. Prey. So we must find each other. We must remember that we do not exist alone."
It's a weird story, but it's a powerful one too. Even if the plot is too strange for your taste, by the conclusion of the novel you will appreciate the books' qualities. High four stars, and I wouldn't be surprised if I go up to five as I digest it further.
leecrutchley's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rubius_pepperwood's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
h_bs26's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Well written and engaging at times but not my thing. The opposite of ‘can’t put this book down’.
magecosplay's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crxtch's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blairmahoney's review against another edition
5.0
It's an odd beast, like Kunzru's other books, and goes on some unexpected tangents. It cuts right to the heart of our time, with the rise of the alt-right and the fear that the world is heading into a kind of psychosis. This would have been a very tough read before November last year, finishing as it does in despair with election of Trump.