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A review by champers4days
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud
5.0
I thought this book was AMAZING, but can appreciate why many readers would not have a similar experience.
Before getting into TEC, the first hurdle to overcome was Messud's writing - it was very particular, with elaborative, explanatory and sometimes digressive clauses dotting her sentence landscape. I found this technique to be quite pleasant and not the least bit distracting, but can see how her style could drive some to drink and/or throw TEC across the room. Rest assured, you will know in less than 20 pages whether or not you are of the drinking/throwing persuasion, and can put down/throw the book, or not, accordingly.
The second hurdle, obviously, was the subject matter. Reading about 9/11 can be INCREDIBLY painful, so please do not try to read this book if you are not ready to experience these events through the lives Messud's characters.
And for the third hurdle, Messud's characters, of which there seemed to be quite a few actually, exhibited that sometimes awkward but true-to-life mix of protagonist and antagonist. I was astounded by the author's impeccably accurate characterization – the combination of good and bad, altruistic and selfless, moral and corrupt – and could pick out characters’ traits and predilections in members of my peer group. However, if a reader is not familiar with this generation, these characters, and the book itself, could really fall flat.
For me, this book was extraordinarily affecting not only because of the events described but due to this collection of exacting observations about people and New York City in 2001. Messud's ability to depict characters with so many different backgrounds - from Midwestern college graduates who move to NYC to wealthy families ensconced in a Central Park West address - was truly exceptional.
If hurdles one through three do not sound too daunting, and you have any ties to New York City, this book is a definite must read!!!
Before getting into TEC, the first hurdle to overcome was Messud's writing - it was very particular, with elaborative, explanatory and sometimes digressive clauses dotting her sentence landscape. I found this technique to be quite pleasant and not the least bit distracting, but can see how her style could drive some to drink and/or throw TEC across the room. Rest assured, you will know in less than 20 pages whether or not you are of the drinking/throwing persuasion, and can put down/throw the book, or not, accordingly.
The second hurdle, obviously, was the subject matter. Reading about 9/11 can be INCREDIBLY painful, so please do not try to read this book if you are not ready to experience these events through the lives Messud's characters.
And for the third hurdle, Messud's characters, of which there seemed to be quite a few actually, exhibited that sometimes awkward but true-to-life mix of protagonist and antagonist. I was astounded by the author's impeccably accurate characterization – the combination of good and bad, altruistic and selfless, moral and corrupt – and could pick out characters’ traits and predilections in members of my peer group. However, if a reader is not familiar with this generation, these characters, and the book itself, could really fall flat.
For me, this book was extraordinarily affecting not only because of the events described but due to this collection of exacting observations about people and New York City in 2001. Messud's ability to depict characters with so many different backgrounds - from Midwestern college graduates who move to NYC to wealthy families ensconced in a Central Park West address - was truly exceptional.
If hurdles one through three do not sound too daunting, and you have any ties to New York City, this book is a definite must read!!!