A review by laurenisallbooked
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'm a Rebecca Makkai fan through and through, but this one left something to be desired. 

I enjoyed the murder mystery, and kept coming back to this book for the plot. I appreciated the way Makkai connected this narrative to other, real-world stories of violence against women, sexual assault, and murder. I also appreciated the critiques of the legal system and noting it's inherent, structural and systemic injustices. 

What's as perfect as a girl stopped dead, midformation? Girl as blank slate. Girl as reflection of your desires, unmarred by her own. Girl as sacrifice to the idea of girl. 

I think the book was trying to do too much. It felt 100 pages too long and also unfinished. The character development of our narrator felt unfinished (we learn about the tragedies of her father and brother, but we don't see a lot of the ripples of how that affected her, other than in the men she dates 👀). There were some side characters who were built up and then didn't go anywhere or contribute to the plot or ambiance. The chapters where the narrator imagines how the murder happened paid off in the end, but could have been strengthened with fewer suspects. 

Overall, not my favorite Makkai but an enjoyable read while it was happening.
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