Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Either/Or by Elif Batuman

2 reviews

applesodaperson's review

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I honestly did not know that this book was a direct sequel to The Idiot, so good thing I have read this previously. But I do think The Idiot needs to be read first, because without it, the reader of this book won't understand anything about Selin's relationship to Ivan or friendship with Svetlana. Anyways, I really enjoyed this book! My absolute favorite thing about Batuman's writing is how she is always asking questions about life and about why things are the way the are. It prompts me to think so much about my own life and ways of thinking. But like The Idiot, my favorite part of this book was when she was at Harvard. And then I liked the part about her in Turkey even less than I liked the part about her in Hungary in the last book. I felt like Selin's time in Turkey was only about her being preyed on by terrible and creepy men, which made me feel really icky. I much prefer the intelligent conversations she has with her classmates at Harvard. 
Read from the Provo library. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Stalking, Sexual assault, and Rape

mediatrikcxs's review

funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's interesting to read a second Elif Batuman book several years after reading The Idiot, when I have a much more strongly developed sense of self and can find myself disagreeing with a lot of the things the main character says or thinks. Most of Batuman's works are at least partially autobiographical, and I get the sense that she herself no longer feels or thinks the way she did about certain topics. The notes at the end of the book slap, don't skip those.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking

the entire second half of the book basically covers the main character's sexual exploits with various men.

the character doesn't seem to explicitly say that these instances were experienced as sexual assault, stalking, or harassment, and I want to respect that especially given that I know this author often writes about her own life and past experiences. With that said, if reading about men assaulting or harassing women is at all triggering for you, I don't recommend reading the entire summer travel section at the end.