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penguin555's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
betamagnificus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annamusgraves's review against another edition
4.0
between a 4 and 5. I’ve never read Lolita so I will not draw comparisons there, but this was similar to Vladimir in the older problematic professor is obsessed with their younger colleague kinda way. this book pissed me off and made me want to throw my book across the room, but like in a good way. ugh!! very well-written from the POV of the problematic professor—will for sure make you cringe a lot. will be thinking about this for a while. again, like Vladimir, a book you’d dissect in an English class.
ana_distracted's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was the most dis-likeable mc 1st person narrator that I've ever read. But the story was so beautifully written and so well paced that I really enjoyed it.
daneenk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
oliver harding may be my most hated main character of all time. i detest that man.
pamelaaaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
laurapk's review against another edition
3.0
I read and appreciated (cannot really say enjoy) Nabokov's works, exploring unlikable characters such as Lolita or Pale Fire. This novel however did not recapture Nabokov's aptitude to make the vain, self-centered villain worthy of our time and attention. I know people like the MC exist, but he still read like a caricature at times. And I think the "plot twists" at the end made the story read rather cheap for me. I can't say exactly what it's missing, but it's missing something. I ultimately felt the MC described this novel accurately in one short sentence early in the book "The academy was where intellectuals came to hide from their chance of greatness." Perhaps the novel was too self aware, too academic at times, and overshot its potential greatness.
the_old_gray_cat's review against another edition
5.0
A lonely professor, a G.K. Chesterton specialist in the current day, is consumed with his crush on a Muslim law professor. Set at the time of the Trump-Clinton election, this book is so well written and takes a variety of turns.
Jha is a masterful writer. Her sentences brim with wit and intelligence.
Jha is a masterful writer. Her sentences brim with wit and intelligence.
gbwilling's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0