Scan barcode
A review by whitebreadgf
Mislaid by Nell Zink
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.