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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
The much awaited sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad manages to uphold and update its predecessor's legacy. Once again, Egan has crafted an intricately structured novel-in-stories. While this can ostensibly be read on its own, there are countless throwbacks to the other book, so I found it really enriching to approach this with some background knowledge. My friends and I want to create one of those serial killer bulletin boards with strings and pushpins to figure out, once and for all, what ties everyone together.
My one complaint, and the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is the seemingly random insert of a trans character near the end, whose unflattering framing aligns with transphobic tropes re: disclosure/deception. It's suggested that she may have appeared in the book pre-transition, but nobody in my book club (or the rest of the internet, as far as I can tell) has managed to figure out when she first appeared, if she appeared at all. My only hope is that Egan is planning a third book in the series, where she can unpack this seemingly throw-away character more fully.
My one complaint, and the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is the seemingly random insert of a trans character near the end, whose unflattering framing aligns with transphobic tropes re: disclosure/deception. It's suggested that she may have appeared in the book pre-transition, but nobody in my book club (or the rest of the internet, as far as I can tell) has managed to figure out when she first appeared, if she appeared at all. My only hope is that Egan is planning a third book in the series, where she can unpack this seemingly throw-away character more fully.
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the book's sci-fi aspect especially as a means to explore authenticity and memory. The shift in perspective was also interesting each chapter to follow a story always from the outside with everyone being unreliable or limited in their own way.
There are lots of complaints that it doesn't come together perfectly and that it can be confusing or have story threads that don't go anywhere. But in general, I see this as a very accessible post modern book. One with plenty of emotional payoff and interesting intersection.
I enjoyed it, and see it as well crafted but still feel cool on the 3 star rating.
There are lots of complaints that it doesn't come together perfectly and that it can be confusing or have story threads that don't go anywhere. But in general, I see this as a very accessible post modern book. One with plenty of emotional payoff and interesting intersection.
I enjoyed it, and see it as well crafted but still feel cool on the 3 star rating.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story jumps in time, perspective, and style with each chapter. You never get the perspective of the same character time but there is character overlap between stories. The overlap is chaotic, in a way that makes me wish I had read the book in 1 or 2 sittings rather than over the course of a week+, as I’m sure I missed nuance while trying to figure out where I’d met a character before.
Would try another book by this author!
Would try another book by this author!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
The anticlimactic nature of this book was disappointing. There were several moments where I was trudging through, just waiting for the last page. Some chapters touched me and entertained, but mostly I was bored. At the end of the book I found myself wondering what the plot was; I felt like nothing had come to a head.
I think I would have enjoyed this book a bit more had I read Good Squad more recently. It’s been years, so I was a little out of touch with some of the characters.
I think I would have enjoyed this book a bit more had I read Good Squad more recently. It’s been years, so I was a little out of touch with some of the characters.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes