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Robin's Reviews > I Have Some Questions for You
I Have Some Questions for You
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This is my first time reading Pulitzer-nominated Rebecca Makkai, and I have to say I'm... underwhelmed.
Thankfully, my underwhelmed-ness won't upset her much. She's doing just fine without me on her bandwagon. :)
That said, this book felt bloated and overambitious in dire need of a ruthless edit-job, and, dare I say, commercial, rather than literary. It felt like an extension of the podcast Serial. There is a LOT of reportage, true-crime stuff going on here, as well as a head-spinning miasma of topics and issues (race, metoo, cancel culture, memory, just being a few).
It's absolutely competent, and I think the most likely takeaway is just that I'm not the right reader for this book. I need a level of art in the books I read, room to explore way past the plotlines. When I feel that there isn't much past what the author is telling me, I check out.
There are comparisons to Donna Tartt's The Secret History, but aside from the boarding school setting, I disagree with the comparison. The characterization and writing just aren't comparable (or memorable) for me.
However, many truly wonderful readers I admire have polar opposite opinions from my own, and their opinions matter just as much. Please read Bonnie's review to get a different perspective.
2.75 stars
Thankfully, my underwhelmed-ness won't upset her much. She's doing just fine without me on her bandwagon. :)
That said, this book felt bloated and overambitious in dire need of a ruthless edit-job, and, dare I say, commercial, rather than literary. It felt like an extension of the podcast Serial. There is a LOT of reportage, true-crime stuff going on here, as well as a head-spinning miasma of topics and issues (race, metoo, cancel culture, memory, just being a few).
It's absolutely competent, and I think the most likely takeaway is just that I'm not the right reader for this book. I need a level of art in the books I read, room to explore way past the plotlines. When I feel that there isn't much past what the author is telling me, I check out.
There are comparisons to Donna Tartt's The Secret History, but aside from the boarding school setting, I disagree with the comparison. The characterization and writing just aren't comparable (or memorable) for me.
However, many truly wonderful readers I admire have polar opposite opinions from my own, and their opinions matter just as much. Please read Bonnie's review to get a different perspective.
2.75 stars
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Reading Progress
March 22, 2023
– Shelved
March 25, 2023
–
Started Reading
March 29, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Thank you for a great review, Robin. Last week I finished her Great Believers and was pretty underwhelmed by that too. Her writing is quite mediocre and like you I want some art in the books I read.
Loved this one , Robin, and sorry it did not work for you. I would argue it is both literary and popular fiction, but I have no objection to the popular fiction designation here and I absolutely understand why that sort of book might not be you cuppa. Thanks for the shoutout!
Fantastic review, Robin. I've seen lots of favourable reviews of this, but its themes don't appeal to (I must be the only person who doesn't listen to true crime podcasts or reads books on the subject).
Joe wrote: "This is a great observation, Robin. Marcy Dermansky, Sara Gran and Carson McCullers are three authors I've read recently whose novels succeed on a plotline level but are also about something deeper. I can see that may not be necessary for readers who consume a book per day, but I'm with you. I read less and need authors who dig in and give me something I can chew on or think about longer."Thanks Joe! I'm always on the lookout for books that have super engaging plots but also provide that depth and room to explore.
I don't want to be unfair, though, because there's a lot in this book that works, and the writing isn't bad... but yeah, I wanted something more complex than what was presented here. I'm having a good time discussing it in a group, with a mix of wonderful readers, some who loved it, some who are more in the middle. It's always enlightening to hear a different perspective than my own!
Marlla wrote: "Thank you for a great review, Robin. Last week I finished her Great Believers and was pretty underwhelmed by that too. Her writing is quite mediocre and like you I want some art in the books I read."Many thanks Marlla, I really appreciate your comment. I think the Pulitzer nomination really had my expectations up there...
Bonnie G. wrote: "Loved this one , Robin, and sorry it did jot work for you. I would argue it is both literary and popular fiction, but I have no objection to the popular fiction designation here and I absolutely understand why that sort of book might not be you cuppa. Thanks for the shoutout!"Your review deserves a shoutout, Bonnie! Absolutely. You are one smart reader.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm enjoying being part of a discussion and hearing what other people liked/didn't like. It helps round out my opinions (they tend to have sharp edges :D).
Bianca wrote: "Fantastic review, Robin. I've seen lots of favourable reviews of this, but its themes don't appeal to (I must be the only person who doesn't listen to true crime podcasts or reads books on the subject)."Thank you Bianca! I'm not a huge fan of true crime either, though I did listen to Serial way back when it first came out. I'm more interested in the psychology behind crime, and the fallout.
Thanks for addressing that comparison to Tartt's novel - my favourite of hers - which I wasn't aware of, and will now appraise a little more accurately if I come across it elsewhere. Useful info, Robin, and a joy to get your overall impression, as well. I agree that plotlines alone are not enough. How easy would that be?
your reviews are always on point! While I enjoyed this one, I wasn't completely satisfied with it. I felt this way about The Great Believers as well, but I couldn't put into words why. After reading your review, I'm like - oh yeah, that's why.
Charles wrote: "Thanks for addressing that comparison to Tartt's novel - my favourite of hers - which I wasn't aware of, and will now appraise a little more accurately if I come across it elsewhere. Useful info, Robin, and a joy to get your overall impression, as well. I agree that plotlines alone are not enough. How easy would that be?"Thanks, Charles. I think this book is well written, and there's a lot that went into it, but at the end of the day it was a matter of taste, and didn't quite work for me the way I'd hoped.
Marge wrote: "your reviews are always on point! While I enjoyed this one, I wasn't completely satisfied with it. I felt this way about The Great Believers as well, but I couldn't put into words why. After reading your review, I'm like - oh yeah, that's why."Thank you so much, Marge! I really appreciate you saying that. xx
I read her for the first time not long ago, too, Robin, when I picked up The Borrower. I also liked it, but didn’t love. Good to know that this will disappoint if I expect another Secret History — one of my favorite books. It’s really sweet of you to link to Bonnie’s review for an alternate opinion. Hope you’re well, sending a hug…
Jennifer wrote: "I read her for the first time not long ago, too, Robin, when I picked up The Borrower. I also liked it, but didn’t love. Good to know that this will disappoint if I expect another Secret History — one of my favorite books. It’s really sweet of you to link to Bonnie’s review for an alternate opinion. Hope you’re well, sending a hug…"Dear Jennifer - thank you for the hug! I send one back. xx
I thought it was really important to link Bonnie's review, because the book is definitely not a bad one, and I tend to be in a bit of my own wind tunnel when I read, so it's good to see other people's perspectives even when a book doesn't entirely do it for me.
I'm curious what led you to this particular book, Robin?
Julie wrote: "I'm curious what led you to this particular book, Robin?"It was picked for a group read that I moderate here on GRs. I've been curious about this author for some time, so I'm glad to have had the push to read one of her novels, even if it didn't turn out to be to my taste.
Jennifer wrote: "Hug received ☺️"xo
No one should ever apologize for a less-than-glowing review; we get too much fluff in the media.
Leftbanker wrote: "No one should ever apologize for a less-than-glowing review; we get too much fluff in the media."Thanks Leftbanker. I agree with you, but I also know that Goodreads is replete with abusive, ignorant, negative reviews and my goal here is not to add to that noise, take anyone down, or poison someone against a book they may enjoy. So I'm trying to be more conscious about that when I write a review about a book that didn't fully work for me.
Bloated is right, and I got so tired of her gimmicks-- the listing device she uses when talking about missing or abused girls / women. The first time I actually thought it was kind of brilliant, and hated it more with each repetition until I was reduced to fast forwarding the audiobook. This was perhaps the least liked book I have ever finished.Also agree with you 100% that — while I was no huge fan of the secret history, either — it was far more literary and lyrical than this one. I do think there are some elements that are comparable. Both of them just...bored me; both were a bit solipsistic, with a self-absorbed narrator, and both seem to really overestimate how fascinating their subject matter is.
Very commercial, as you say. Fitting every timely topic into the mix which just felt shrewd and mercenary -- this'll sell! — rather than really organic to the story.
You don't need to apologize for not liking a book. I'm well aware I was *supposed* to like it, but I didn't like it either. You were right to reference the "bandwagon," and it's full enough for this book.
This is a great observation, Robin. Marcy Dermansky, Sara Gran and Carson McCullers are three authors I've read recently whose novels succeed on a plotline level but are also about something deeper. I can see that may not be necessary for readers who consume a book per day, but I'm with you. I read less and need authors who dig in and give me something I can chew on or think about longer.