A review by amanda02143
Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Incredible writing.  As an academic, so much of the setting and drama felt eerily accurate. Small town life, department and college politics, energetic new faculty vs the old guard, the changing norms and culture and the accompanying complications. The narrator, too, is very relatable in all her neuroses and flaws. Accomplished, beloved by students, and yet insecure about aging and her appearance while simultaneously hating herself for caring about superficial standards. All of which is to say this book had me fully engrossed....up to a point. SPOILER
 
The sharp plot turn beginning with the lunch date with Vladimir and her "plan" defied credibility.  The lack of planning, for someone whose core identity is a researcher, is completely out of character.  I was cringing, though willing to see where things were headed, until the zip ties and padlock. 

From that point, the last third of the book seemed almost like an entirely different book.  The plot is rushed to a resolution and all of the complexity that was pain-stakingly developed is thrown out with the fire. 

Sid and her partner, Vlad and his wife all work things out and everyone just carries on?? Most implausible of all, even dinosaur professors save to the cloud these days.  Too neat and tidy.

 
 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings