A review by jola_g
Either/Or by Elif Batuman
3.0
I am very sorry to report that the dramatically descending red arrow on the cover of Either/Or can be used as a symbolic image of my mood while reading this new novel by Elif Batuman. I literally kept checking the name of the author to make sure the sequel to [b:The Idiot|30962053|The Idiot|Elif Batuman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474782288l/30962053._SY75_.jpg|51577226] was written by the same person. Some fragments sounded like auto-parody or fanfiction.
Basically, the protagonist does five things in Either/Or:
1. Explores her sexuality with a plethora of random guys she met a few minutes/hours ago;
2. Summarizes some books she read, spoilers included;
3. Basks in self-indulgence;
4. Recalls her childhood memories;
5. Skates gracefully on the surface of philosophical and literary issues, bestrewing the ice with 'Kierkegaard, Proust, Breton et altri' sprinkle
Compared to The Idiot...
...what is gone?
* Crispy freshness;
* Lustre;
* Warmth;
* Charm;
* Humour;
* Lightness;
* Subtlety;
* Ivan (only physically).
...what is new?
* Boredom;
* Perceptible efforts to be entertaining;
* Details of Selin's sex life in abundance. I wonder if the author was criticised for lack of sex in the first part and now she was trying hard to play catch up?;
* Passages which look like notes from actual seminars and lectures;
* Portraying people as stereotypical national caricatures — please, check the Turkish men Selin encountered during her trip;
* Selin's personality, radically transformed in a few months. How I missed the socially awkward, timid, smart, hilarious introvert from The Idiot!
As for sequels and second seasons, I usually try to keep my hopes low but I did not anticipate Either/Or to be such a colossal disappointment from almost all fronts. Sometimes a shadow of The Idiot's brilliance flickered shily, sometimes I pondered on the author's originality, talent and acuity. Still, I cringed for the most part. It felt as if Elif Batuman was terrorised by the editors to continue the series against her will and sabotaged it secretly.
Painting by Ana Maria Edulescu.
Basically, the protagonist does five things in Either/Or:
1. Explores her sexuality with a plethora of random guys she met a few minutes/hours ago;
2. Summarizes some books she read, spoilers included;
3. Basks in self-indulgence;
4. Recalls her childhood memories;
5. Skates gracefully on the surface of philosophical and literary issues, bestrewing the ice with 'Kierkegaard, Proust, Breton et altri' sprinkle
Compared to The Idiot...
...what is gone?
* Crispy freshness;
* Lustre;
* Warmth;
* Charm;
* Humour;
* Lightness;
* Subtlety;
* Ivan (only physically).
...what is new?
* Boredom;
* Perceptible efforts to be entertaining;
* Details of Selin's sex life in abundance. I wonder if the author was criticised for lack of sex in the first part and now she was trying hard to play catch up?;
* Passages which look like notes from actual seminars and lectures;
* Portraying people as stereotypical national caricatures — please, check the Turkish men Selin encountered during her trip;
* Selin's personality, radically transformed in a few months. How I missed the socially awkward, timid, smart, hilarious introvert from The Idiot!
As for sequels and second seasons, I usually try to keep my hopes low but I did not anticipate Either/Or to be such a colossal disappointment from almost all fronts. Sometimes a shadow of The Idiot's brilliance flickered shily, sometimes I pondered on the author's originality, talent and acuity. Still, I cringed for the most part. It felt as if Elif Batuman was terrorised by the editors to continue the series against her will and sabotaged it secretly.
Painting by Ana Maria Edulescu.