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A review by ecn
Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Not at all what I was expecting. An interesting story, great character development, and a wild ride.
The discussion of academia (specifically graduate studies) was VERY on the nose and had me angry the whole time. The treatment of the main character, her treatment of others, and how everyone interacts feels almost more like real life than reality does.
Didn’t realize until after I read it that it was satire (I know 🙃) but it just made everything more perfect. The lives we’re living right now feel so ridiculous and absurd that it feels satirical. Everything about this is real life AND not.This feels like it could be a real story (looking at Rachel Dolezal - especially at the end)
Loved this book and definitely got me out of my reading slump. So many complex themes - would be perfect for a book club.
Only “critique” is that the pacing felt off. Certain parts in the middle felt like they dragged on but the beginning and end were a rush.
The discussion of academia (specifically graduate studies) was VERY on the nose and had me angry the whole time. The treatment of the main character, her treatment of others, and how everyone interacts feels almost more like real life than reality does.
Didn’t realize until after I read it that it was satire (I know 🙃) but it just made everything more perfect. The lives we’re living right now feel so ridiculous and absurd that it feels satirical. Everything about this is real life AND not.
Loved this book and definitely got me out of my reading slump. So many complex themes - would be perfect for a book club.
Only “critique” is that the pacing felt off. Certain parts in the middle felt like they dragged on but the beginning and end were a rush.
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism