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A review by angelicathebookworm
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fowler’s cast of characters is probably my favourite aspect of the novel. The characters are well developed and distinct from each other which made it clear to distinguish between each character while navigating the complex plot and chronology of this literary novel. Rosemary, our narrator, gets you laughing right from the first page and is easy to empathise with even though her experiences are quite unique. Lowell, Rosemary’s older brother, is sweet and it’s very hard not to sympathise with his character and his subsequent actions during the plot. Fern, Rosemary and Lowell’s very special sister, is quite possibly the best. An educational read that sheds light on a very fascinating topic as well as exploring the subject of family and the similarities that all families share. Fowler’s writing style is witty, enlightening, and complex without being too difficult to follow or understand. It’s filled with some great literary and psychological references that made me smile and flooded me with a sense of nostalgia from college days, perfect for those with any prior knowledge of social sciences.
While the characters are very multidimensional they are, at times, quite difficult to relate to because of the uniqueness of some of the specific details of the plot. Fowler’s use of scrambled chronology as opposed to a linear structure does make sense in order to experience the fractured memories of Rosemary’s past, however, it did make it jarring and difficult to follow at times. Overall the choice in structure did take away a little from my ability to analyze the different aspects of this layered novel. In regards to the subject matter, without giving too much away, while it was insightful—and I enjoyed seeing it’s integration into fiction— it did have a tendency to veer towards being preachy. The pacing as well is more on the slower side with the plot is drawn out in places so not the book to pick up if you’re looking for a quick and easy read.
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While the characters are very multidimensional they are, at times, quite difficult to relate to because of the uniqueness of some of the specific details of the plot. Fowler’s use of scrambled chronology as opposed to a linear structure does make sense in order to experience the fractured memories of Rosemary’s past, however, it did make it jarring and difficult to follow at times. Overall the choice in structure did take away a little from my ability to analyze the different aspects of this layered novel. In regards to the subject matter, without giving too much away, while it was insightful—and I enjoyed seeing it’s integration into fiction— it did have a tendency to veer towards being preachy. The pacing as well is more on the slower side with the plot is drawn out in places so not the book to pick up if you’re looking for a quick and easy read.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Confinement