A review by seamoonstone
No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July

challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I can't say I enjoyed reading this book, but I think that might be intentional–it would be repulsive to say I relate specifically to these characters, but I can say I've perhaps felt just as uncomfortable and lost as these characters. The narrators, regardless of age, are all similarly naive and whimsical, often perfectly capturing that feeling of adolescence when you realize you truly don't know what's going on. This would be enjoyable, maybe even cathartic, except that many of these stories are sex obsessed in an uncomfortable, even perverse, way, implying that the only way to connect with other people is through sex, but the sex is always transactional and exploitative. The stories that are not explicitly sexual are akin to an odd coworker describing their dream in detail to you when you just want to drink your coffee in peace. In spite of all this, July is a talented writer, and the stories or moments that did not rely on taboo were beautiful and charming.
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