Reviews - Von allgemeiner Gültigkeit

1.05k reviews for:

Von allgemeiner Gültigkeit

Natasha Brown

3.46 AVERAGE

justineharvey's review against another edition

2.25

lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kbasa152's review against another edition

3.5

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

katie2211's review against another edition

5.0

reflective medium-paced

beckyjzw's review against another edition

4.0

dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

sagittaur's review against another edition

2.5

Trust, I understood the messaging. Commentary on these type of people who use their influence and words to shape or sway people's opinions. However, it just felt tame and lacked any punch or substance that would set this book apart from all the others that are touching on this topic.

adam_penny's review against another edition

3.5

challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

memeraryfiction's review against another edition

3.0

reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is probably the most difficult I've ever found rating or reviewing a book. It's been a couple weeks, and I still don't know exactly what I think of Universality. Natasha Brown is clearly smart and insightful. The novel manages to be zeitgeist-y and of the moment without feeling desperate or cringe. Going in without reading the synopsis was also a very enjoyable experience, as I had to work to piece together how all the storylines and characters connected, at least at first.

With that said, I find the project of rehashing problematic white faux-liberal talking points to be, well, problematic. I think I can see Brown's logic in doing so, but I didn't especially enjoy or appreciate the approach. (It doesn't help that all the characters are extremely unlikable - though this is obviously part of the point!) I'm not sure I think this project was necessary, but I suspect Brown would disagree - and honestly, given the state of the UK at the moment, she's probably right.

Content Warnings