A review by keegan_leech
Bonsai by Alejandro Zambra
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A strange, enchanting little story about falling in and out of love with a kind of melancholy self-seriousness that I actually really liked. Certainly not for everyone—I imagine it could easily come off as too pretentious—but I found it very charming.
The novel can be whimsically funny, insightful, and emotional in a kind of stilted way that reminded me of some of Sally Rooney or Jeanette Winterson's work. It's more academically-minded moments have the kind of bizarre metaphorical bent that's common to writers like Borges. The sort of thing that can come off as pretentious waffle if you dislike it, but which I enjoy.
At its heart though, Bonsai is a story about falling in and out of love. Finding and then losing connections. And how even brief relationships can change us forever. I think that's a theme worth getting a little pretentious about.
The novel can be whimsically funny, insightful, and emotional in a kind of stilted way that reminded me of some of Sally Rooney or Jeanette Winterson's work. It's more academically-minded moments have the kind of bizarre metaphorical bent that's common to writers like Borges. The sort of thing that can come off as pretentious waffle if you dislike it, but which I enjoy.
At its heart though, Bonsai is a story about falling in and out of love. Finding and then losing connections. And how even brief relationships can change us forever. I think that's a theme worth getting a little pretentious about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse