Reviews

Did not quite live up to the hype

Kushner's writing style is immersive, drawing readers into the harsh realities of incarceration and the struggles faced by those trapped within its walls. The novel's exploration of themes such as survival, justice, and the human spirit provokes thought and reflection long after the last page is turned.

However, despite its compelling narrative and vivid characters, "The Mars Room" can at times feel disjointed and meandering. The nonlinear structure may be disorienting for some readers, making it challenging to fully connect with the story's progression. Additionally, while the novel sheds light on important social issues such as poverty, addiction, and the failures of the justice system, it occasionally lacks the depth needed to fully explore these complex topics.

Overall, "The Mars Room" is a thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on life behind bars. While it may not be without its flaws, Kushner's powerful storytelling and vivid imagery make it a worthwhile addition to any reader's bookshelf, especially for those interested in delving into the darker corners of society.

quawbix's review against another edition

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dark funny sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

jbrownleo's review against another edition

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4.0

Last thoughts as I closed the book were “huh?”...as I proceeded to tear up. Did I understand the point to the book? No, but the ending was still incredibly sad to me. Everything was written very well. I love the characters, I love the storylines, but nothing connected. It was almost like this was a book of a few short stories but instead of reading one short story at a time, you read a little bit from each story in every other chapter. I kept waiting for it to “click“, for some connection to be made but that never happened. So I don’t want to give this book a bad score because overall I really enjoyed the stories, but I can’t give it a five because I don’t really understand the point to the book and that irritates me.

blairmahoney's review against another edition

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4.0

Shortlisted for this year's Man Booker Prize, this is an impressive novel that delves into the grim world of women's prisons in the US. In some ways it's an old-fashioned "social issues" novel and an indictment of the American justice system. Kushner mostly operates in the first person viewpoint of Romy Hall, a stripper who is serving multiple life sentences for killing the man who was stalking her. She is unable to hear from her young son or even know where he is. We also get third person accounts of other characters and even snippets from the journals of the Unabomber. It's compelling and sobering material and very easy to get sucked into.

jasmine_books342's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

georgiarose710's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective 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

3.5

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