A review by millhousethecat
How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

When your kid asks you to read a book they loved, you do. And so when Griffin asked me to read How Should A Person Be?, I bought a copy and read it. 

The book “is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” (If I may quote Winston Churchill when discussing a situation difficult to understand.)

This book defies easy summary - it’s part play, part novel, it’s fiction mixed with non-fiction, it’s an infinite jest.

It ostensibly tells the story of the friendship between Sheila, main character and author, and Margaux (Williamson, a famous painter). A central question/premise is that Margaux and Sholem, are tasked with a competition: create the ugliest painting. Margaux avoids it for as long as she can; Sholem immediately makes his and can’t shake the feeling of being dirty and ruined because of it.

Instead of trying to give a synopsis, I think there’s more value is saying the book is inscrutable and likely so on purpose. And while it’s doubtful you’ll relate to the narcissism shown by most characters in Shelia’s life, the book remains relatable. There’s subtext and couched meaning there for the discovery.

When I asked Griff what he thought the take away was, he said, “You're trying really hard to do or accomplish something even though you don't know the rules, and whether or not you accomplish what you want is beside the point.” Exactly.

It’ll challenge you and that’s a good thing.