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A review by zoolmcg
Assumption by Percival Everett
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was not like any of the other Everetts I’ve read, save for maybe his short stories. I wasn’t used to his narration in the third person, but it grew on me more and more. His writing here is so deep that if you miss even a single sentence, you won’t be up to date with the story. It’s vivid and yet hold the reader at a distance, as if to say, Don’t assume you know the whole story.
And on that note, I’ve never encountered a narrator who is simultaneously biased and unreliable as well as omniscient. We are told everything, including facts about people’s feelings and their honesty while speaking, and yet it’s still all from Ogden’s perspective. l
The three cases that this novel covers show the gradual deterioration of Ogden’s capabilities in his job and the moral code that his job carries. At one point he outright says that it’s just a job to him, nothing more.He seems honourable and intelligent in the first case, and is betrayed when his good deeds are taken advantage of. In the second, he is double crossed again, and the repercussions lead to even more deaths. In the third and final, his actions become more impulsive, less based on gaining information, more out of desperation to pin a blame. Ogden Walker seems to go through his life doing what he can to preserve himself and those close to him (namely his colleague Fragua, and mother Eva), but when he stars to fail in this, his belief in himself also begins to fail.
I find it interesting that this was Everett’s follow up to Poitier, which by compromise hold a much lighter and comedic tone. This one is dark and distant, leading much of the action up to interpretation, when Poitier hinged itself on its film references and wit. I enjoyed this a lot, even though it’s so different to my favourite of his works, because the plot of each section still manages to ramp up so well. After the first one, A Difficult Likeness, being so nail biting by its climax, I found the beginning of My American Cousin to be lacklustre. But, as the plot quickly whisked me away again, I was quickly back into it. By the time I was at Sticks, I saw this structure as evidence of Ogden’s personality resets, and the aforementioned deterioration.
I loved this a lot, and definitely recommend it to Everett fans and newcomers. He’s yet to have a miss in my opinion, and I’ve so far relished all of his contributions to literature.
And on that note, I’ve never encountered a narrator who is simultaneously biased and unreliable as well as omniscient. We are told everything, including facts about people’s feelings and their honesty while speaking, and yet it’s still all from Ogden’s perspective. l
The three cases that this novel covers show the gradual deterioration of Ogden’s capabilities in his job and the moral code that his job carries. At one point he outright says that it’s just a job to him, nothing more.
I find it interesting that this was Everett’s follow up to Poitier, which by compromise hold a much lighter and comedic tone. This one is dark and distant, leading much of the action up to interpretation, when Poitier hinged itself on its film references and wit. I enjoyed this a lot, even though it’s so different to my favourite of his works, because the plot of each section still manages to ramp up so well. After the first one, A Difficult Likeness, being so nail biting by its climax, I found the beginning of My American Cousin to be lacklustre. But, as the plot quickly whisked me away again, I was quickly back into it. By the time I was at Sticks, I saw this structure as evidence of Ogden’s personality resets, and the aforementioned deterioration.
I loved this a lot, and definitely recommend it to Everett fans and newcomers. He’s yet to have a miss in my opinion, and I’ve so far relished all of his contributions to literature.