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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 - intriguing plot with interesting themes for this genre
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel tries to be a lot of things, and it is, but it feels like there is a lack of pacing because of it. I couldn't get a solid grasp on Bodie Kane, but this is, at least in part, due to the fact that the novel is largely about Bodie getting a grasp on Bodie--so, fair enough! Interspersed with the self-reflection is a murder mystery alongside a larger message about how women are treated in/by society--both are worthwhile, but both were somewhat diluted by the lack of focus. The book does offer some real warnings about nostalgia and memory, and this was for me, the core value of the novel. I did not feel any real attachment to any of the characters, but this was a rare case where I think that was useful. Justice is often paraded as some sort of process of objectivity (although we know it isn't), and Makkai's novel helps reveal how justice can only ever be relative in the messy-ness of the human condition. We also come to realize how many details we likely miss in a given day of our lives--what we see, but don't watch, for example. Makkai reminds us that "memory" is a fabrication, and the split of the book into two parts is masterful in driving that home. A worthwhile read, but I suggest lowering expectations for the "mystery" aspect, and allowing the reflections on how we co-exist to be front and center.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
A fantastic novel that interrogates our obsession with true crime, particularly when the victims are women. The narrator, Bodie, is the creator of a podcast that explores the famous women of Hollywood and the terrible things they dealt with in Hollywood (men). Bodie returns to her alma mater, a New Hampshire boarding school, to teach two courses one on film and the other on podcasts. When she returns, she begins to relive memories of her time there and the murder of her roommate, Thalia, which she always felt was blamed on the wrong person. As she teaches her podcast class, her students become interested in the case as well and decide to make the case their final project. Like Bodie, they also believe the wrong man was imprisoned.
The book delves into not just our icky obsession with dead girls, but race (the man accused is one of the only Black men on campus--an athletic trainer), sexual violence, gender, and power. I think the author doesn't let any of us off the hook: we are all obsessed with true crime. But she also interrogates the culture at her high school which is like so many high schools: "boys will be boys." She remembers distinct things happening to her and other girls by the boys and as she relives some of these memories, she becomes more obsessed with discovering who really killed Thalia.
The author intersperses chapters that catalogue the countless victims whose lives are turned into entertainment and these were the most powerful moments of the book: “Wasn’t it the one where she was stabbed in — no. The one where she got in a cab with — different girl. The one where she went to the frat party, the one where he used a stick, the one where he used a hammer, the one where she picked him up from rehab and he — no. The one where he’d been watching her jog every day? The one where she made the mistake of telling him her period was late? The one with the uncle? Wait, the other one with the uncle?” Many times as I listened, one of the cases sounded familiar and I realized I too was implicated. She mentions the one with the "Stanford Swimmer" and I was like "DAMN."
Makkai's novel participates in the murder mystery genre but it also questions the tropes we know and love. We are all complicit in the romanticization of these murdered women, and to some degree, participate in the perpetuation of these stories. And the most horrifying aspect of it all, is that there are just so damn many of them.
I really enjoyed the audiobook, read by Julia Whelan.
The book delves into not just our icky obsession with dead girls, but race (the man accused is one of the only Black men on campus--an athletic trainer), sexual violence, gender, and power. I think the author doesn't let any of us off the hook: we are all obsessed with true crime. But she also interrogates the culture at her high school which is like so many high schools: "boys will be boys." She remembers distinct things happening to her and other girls by the boys and as she relives some of these memories, she becomes more obsessed with discovering who really killed Thalia.
The author intersperses chapters that catalogue the countless victims whose lives are turned into entertainment and these were the most powerful moments of the book: “Wasn’t it the one where she was stabbed in — no. The one where she got in a cab with — different girl. The one where she went to the frat party, the one where he used a stick, the one where he used a hammer, the one where she picked him up from rehab and he — no. The one where he’d been watching her jog every day? The one where she made the mistake of telling him her period was late? The one with the uncle? Wait, the other one with the uncle?” Many times as I listened, one of the cases sounded familiar and I realized I too was implicated. She mentions the one with the "Stanford Swimmer" and I was like "DAMN."
Makkai's novel participates in the murder mystery genre but it also questions the tropes we know and love. We are all complicit in the romanticization of these murdered women, and to some degree, participate in the perpetuation of these stories. And the most horrifying aspect of it all, is that there are just so damn many of them.
I really enjoyed the audiobook, read by Julia Whelan.
When I was almost halfway through this book I was looking forward to giving it 5 stars.
It starts off so well and is so promising! But then it just spends way too much of the reader's time without adding more substance to the story. It keeps dangling an intriguing mystery in front of you without delivering a satisfying progress. Once the tension has reached its glorious height, the story just sort of meanders and fades. I felt like, near the end, the book was asking me "Oh, you're still here? Well... ok, this is still going on and then this happens and then...".
It had a lot of potential, and could have been something truly great if the fat had been trimmed and the plot had a better focus point.
It starts off so well and is so promising! But then it just spends way too much of the reader's time without adding more substance to the story. It keeps dangling an intriguing mystery in front of you without delivering a satisfying progress. Once the tension has reached its glorious height, the story just sort of meanders and fades. I felt like, near the end, the book was asking me "Oh, you're still here? Well... ok, this is still going on and then this happens and then...".
It had a lot of potential, and could have been something truly great if the fat had been trimmed and the plot had a better focus point.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the setting, the podcast idea, and the twists. The main character is frustrating at times but he actions are justified mostly.
Well, I had most of a review written then Goodreads crashed sooo….
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is not in my regular genre but it was recommended by a friend. I highly enjoyed it and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
This author writes about the mundane so well. Even descriptions of walking to class were intriguing. Her takes on nostalgia were felt so true and honest as well.
I love a main character older than 30 for once.
My only qualms were that it probably could have been a bit shorter and… WHY an Israeli?? Ugh.
This author writes about the mundane so well. Even descriptions of walking to class were intriguing. Her takes on nostalgia were felt so true and honest as well.
I love a main character older than 30 for once.
My only qualms were that it probably could have been a bit shorter and… WHY an Israeli?? Ugh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Islamophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic
It was a little too graphic honestly. I didn’t like revisiting the girl’s death in detail again and again; but I liked the themes of obsession and prep school.