Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - I Have Some Questions For You

Seriously an incredible book. It challenged me and made me think and gripped me and made me pay attention and didn’t let go. It was written so well — in two distinct and important parts — and actually acknowledged COVID, which I find really nice for a novel. It tackled challenging questions about journalism and ethics and so so much more. Wow.

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alec104's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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lololizef's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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notlikethebeer's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was phenomenal. Truly, a tour de force.

I've seen some reviews that imply that what this book does is very basic. I think that's part of where the charm lies. It's about thinking - truly believing - that you Know Stuff, that you're Woke and Aware. And yet that still not being enough. Still finding it easier - or even inevitable - to fall into the patterns you think you're resisting.

Anyway. What really stood out to me - what will live forever rent-free in my head - were the sections where Bodie reflected on what else was going on in the world - when she was overhearing conversations at a party, when she turned on the news. To begin with, those sections confused me a bit, they came across as her not caring. But then I realised that that wasn't it: it was the fatigue, of a world where such stories are endless and everywhere. The way that Rebecca Makkai drew on real-world examples, to really reinforce the sheer volume and scope of violence against women. The way that all of the details blend into one. I get shivers just thinking about how incredibly powerful that was, how simple a technique yet how effective.

I also liked that, in terms of the sub-plot (regarding Bodie's ex-partner), there was no easy resolution. She felt certain ways, and she made mistakes, and there were no answers. I definitely couldn't give you the answers. I'm glad Makkai didn't try to.

The ending was a sick realisation: I genuinely felt my stomach plummet when I finally accepted that yes, that was where we were headed. It was handled so perfectly, yet was so awful, all wrapped up in one.

Easily one of my top books of this year, probably my top books of all time.

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shawcrit's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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definebookish's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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