A review by stellahadz
The Life of the Mind by Christine Smallwood

reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I think this is the kind of book that has to marinate in my mind for a while before I can figure out exactly what I think about it. It's well-written, has an interesting premise, and offers insightful and relatable commentary on academia, relationships, and the nature of existence in the 21st century (the phrase "boring dystopia" comes to mind). The miscarriage is described in fairly graphic terms, but it doesn't seem to faze the narrator at all - I think there's something to read into this about how by the nature of the times we live in, things that we think ought to be traumatic or catastrophic seem a bit mundane. I can see how this book isn't for everyone, but I liked how subtly philosophical it was. 
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