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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Classism
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading his nonfiction/essays for a few years, I was excited to finally read one of Brandon Taylor’s novels! Really enjoyed this, and I’m definitely going to read his other works. Reading it felt like being forcefully dunked into another person’s brain and held there - at times uncomfortable in its honesty and vulnerability, but I was gripped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Much to appreciate in terms of voice and language, but this could have used some paring down.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
ça parle d'un mec gay en thèse donc je pensais que ça allait bcp plus me toucher que ça
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wallace is a gay Black man getting his graduate degree at un unnamed Midwestern university. His father died three weeks ago.
<i>Real Life</i> is a character study. It follows Wallace through a few days navigating a crossroads. His research isn't going well. He has past trauma that's bubbling to the surface. An unexpected encounter with Miller, a straight white acquaintance, brings everything to the surface,
This is very well-written. Taylor looks at emotions and motivations in surprising, incisive ways.
This is great if you're looking for a quiet snapshot of a story. There isn't a ton of plot. That's not good or bad. Just be sure you're in the right mood for it.
<i>Real Life</i> is a character study. It follows Wallace through a few days navigating a crossroads. His research isn't going well. He has past trauma that's bubbling to the surface. An unexpected encounter with Miller, a straight white acquaintance, brings everything to the surface,
This is very well-written. Taylor looks at emotions and motivations in surprising, incisive ways.
This is great if you're looking for a quiet snapshot of a story. There isn't a ton of plot. That's not good or bad. Just be sure you're in the right mood for it.
“And when your grandparents rock in their chairs and sing the songs that their grandparents sand that their grandparents sang that their grandparents sang, there is no denying the power of ghosts…”
Powerful line. Enjoyed this.
Powerful line. Enjoyed this.
i'm a big fan of brandon taylor's short stories & essays so this was one of the novels i was most excited about reading this year. unfortunately, i've come away feeling...underwhelmed and frustrated. there were passages and interactions in the book that i found really powerful, but the overriding reaction i have to the book is one of dissatisfaction.
a lot of the prose felt lifeless and stilted. i've often found in his shorter works, taylor's prose is careful and precise but with a real emotional punch - i didn't find that here. and although i recognise it is a real privilege for me to be dissatisfied and frustrated at wallace's passivity and reluctance to call out harmful, racist, and hateful behaviours (as well as every other character in the book) - and, more than that, i recognise it was probably taylor's intention to refuse the reader any sort of catharsis or confrontation that doesn't occur in 'real life' - as a reading experience it was not particularly enjoyable.
i've gone for 3 stars because, as i mentioned before, there were passages that i found really compelling, and the Notable Dinner Party Scene was as horrifying and delightful as i had been led to expect. taylor doesn't shy away from awkward, ugly encounters - i read one of his articles about the importance of not protecting characters in order to make each scene hit as hard as it needs to, and he definitely does not protect his characters here, they are spotlighted and dissected with really impressive detail.
just. i'm accepting the fact that i don't relish a whole novel of a character being punished and humiliated and condescended to and treated badly. and though that is a description which entirely reduces this novel, that is what i've come away with.
a lot of the prose felt lifeless and stilted. i've often found in his shorter works, taylor's prose is careful and precise but with a real emotional punch - i didn't find that here. and although i recognise it is a real privilege for me to be dissatisfied and frustrated at wallace's passivity and reluctance to call out harmful, racist, and hateful behaviours (as well as every other character in the book) - and, more than that, i recognise it was probably taylor's intention to refuse the reader any sort of catharsis or confrontation that doesn't occur in 'real life' - as a reading experience it was not particularly enjoyable.
i've gone for 3 stars because, as i mentioned before, there were passages that i found really compelling, and the Notable Dinner Party Scene was as horrifying and delightful as i had been led to expect. taylor doesn't shy away from awkward, ugly encounters - i read one of his articles about the importance of not protecting characters in order to make each scene hit as hard as it needs to, and he definitely does not protect his characters here, they are spotlighted and dissected with really impressive detail.
just. i'm accepting the fact that i don't relish a whole novel of a character being punished and humiliated and condescended to and treated badly. and though that is a description which entirely reduces this novel, that is what i've come away with.