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A review by peripetia
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I have been thinking about this book a lot. When I started it, I was convinced after the first few pages that this would be one of my favorite books this year. Then, as the story progressed and also didn't, I started to doubt my prediction.
Even as I was reading the book, I felt like I will have to - and I do want to - re-read it. I'm certain there were things that I missed in the layers that I just haven't uncovered. Am I smart enough to know how smart this book is? I truly don't know, but I doubt it. Maybe the book really wasn't that deep, but I find that hard to believe when the writer has a PhD in comparative literature.
Although I probably missed half of what was being said, I got enough out of it to keep me entertained. Even when this book was, well, boring, something was going on beneath the surface with something to think about or analyze.
The first part of the book was extremely funny for me, but the laugh-out-loud moments were less common later in the book, maybe because of Selin's changing mood. The observations about mundane things were still fantastic.
I think some parts could have been cut. There was maaaaybe a little bit too much meandering with no point.
This is definitely not for everyone, but a good literary fiction novel for those who like to say "what does it all mean?" without coming up with any answers.
P.S. Why does everyone hate Ivan? I don't get it.
Even as I was reading the book, I felt like I will have to - and I do want to - re-read it. I'm certain there were things that I missed in the layers that I just haven't uncovered. Am I smart enough to know how smart this book is? I truly don't know, but I doubt it. Maybe the book really wasn't that deep, but I find that hard to believe when the writer has a PhD in comparative literature.
Although I probably missed half of what was being said, I got enough out of it to keep me entertained. Even when this book was, well, boring, something was going on beneath the surface with something to think about or analyze.
The first part of the book was extremely funny for me, but the laugh-out-loud moments were less common later in the book, maybe because of Selin's changing mood. The observations about mundane things were still fantastic.
I think some parts could have been cut. There was maaaaybe a little bit too much meandering with no point.
This is definitely not for everyone, but a good literary fiction novel for those who like to say "what does it all mean?" without coming up with any answers.
P.S. Why does everyone hate Ivan? I don't get it.