roemfr's review
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
summmrrr's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nahyan's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know how to feel about this book because it left me feeling so pointless and unsatisfied… but perhaps that was the point?? Nothing happens (literally nothing) yet Batuman’s sharp, witty, and at times so hilarious I actually laughed-out-loud, prose kept me captivated till the very end. (3.5/5)
eannwang's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 for an okay read. I personally don't prefer writing that don't clearly progress in plot or have odd tangents or conversations that don't factor into the storyline. I actually really enjoyed the first third or so of Selin starting her freshman year at Harvard and familiarizing herself with new people, classes, and experiences. It made me feel like i was reliving teenage awkwardness where when teenagers are in an uncomfortable situation, they say or do something *random* to be silly. At the end of the plot, after developing an infatuation with Ivan and spending time abroad around Europe and Turkey, I wasn't as engaged with how the characters would turn out. If you're into stories that are more sharing casual conversations or share insight on commonplace experiences, this may be more for you.
kiki_chaser's review against another edition
I read on Tiktok that "everything everyone says somehow relates to this book it has become actually scary how conversations repeat themselves from my real life in this book ". Definitely didn't match up to that and I wasn't motivated enough to place another hold on it when my library loan expired.
leyamaria's review against another edition
3.75
it was funny and well-written and painfully reminiscent of my college experience. I wanted to love it but it was SO slow paced it was hard to get through.
that being said i will be reading the sequel
that being said i will be reading the sequel
lelasjohnson's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
neverblue7's review against another edition
4.75
Wow, loved! So funny yet genuine. I like that it avoids the ironic archness of many books with young female protagonists trying to figure themselves out. (Though some of those are definitely enjoyable.) Sometimes I wasn't sure if I were laughing with or at Selin, and maybe it was both, but I appreciated being in her company. She's never dumbed down even though she's undeniably naive. That feeling of being able to see the world with such fresh eyes is both joyful and at times hilarious.
mayasriram7's review against another edition
4.5
this book felt like a lot of nonsense for the first half but in an enjoyable way and then later it was still enjoyable, but also more understandable