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A review by ninetalevixen
The Altruists by Andrew Ridker
3.0
I received a review copy through First to Read. This does not affect my rating or opinions.
3.5 stars.
Literary fiction generally falls outside my comfort zone, but this one has a kind of charm that I can't quite explain. The writing alternates between plain and function (in a good way) and so-accurate-it-almost-hurts observations wherein nothing is sacred and no one is safe; there are quiet stop and smell the roses moments, bemused people-watching scenes, pithy remarks on modern society, et cetera.
I related intensely and embarrassingly to aspects of Ethan's and Maggie's lives. (Arthur, not so much. His POV was very "cis straight privileged male" which means probably exactly what you're thinking: there's a lot of staring at female undergraduates and wounded masculinity.) This is very much focused on character and theme, not so much in the way of plot — there are definite plotlines and lots of tension, but it's kind of a slow-moving narrative. (Still waters and all that.)
Although the progression and development were interesting, something about the ending wasn't quite satisfying. It wasn't too abrupt, because the transition felt natural and the chronology/timeline was well-established, and it all did seem a logical continuation/closure for the established arcs, but on some level it just felt a little off to me.
content warnings:
rep:
3.5 stars.
It was practically the Alter family credo, an anti-Hippocratic oath: First, Do No Good.
Literary fiction generally falls outside my comfort zone, but this one has a kind of charm that I can't quite explain. The writing alternates between plain and function (in a good way) and so-accurate-it-almost-hurts observations wherein nothing is sacred and no one is safe; there are quiet stop and smell the roses moments, bemused people-watching scenes, pithy remarks on modern society, et cetera.
He was not at ease around people and regarded those who were with envy and suspicion. Whenever Ethan caught someone looking at him on the subway, his first thought was that he was doing something wrong. Standing wrong. Breathing wrong. Then his cheeks would flush with anger. Why should he doubt himself? Why should he make himself small, when lesser souls sat on life with their legs spread open?
I related intensely and embarrassingly to aspects of Ethan's and Maggie's lives. (Arthur, not so much. His POV was very "cis straight privileged male" which means probably exactly what you're thinking: there's a lot of staring at female undergraduates and wounded masculinity.) This is very much focused on character and theme, not so much in the way of plot — there are definite plotlines and lots of tension, but it's kind of a slow-moving narrative. (Still waters and all that.)
Although the progression and development were interesting, something about the ending wasn't quite satisfying. It wasn't too abrupt, because the transition felt natural and the chronology/timeline was well-established, and it all did seem a logical continuation/closure for the established arcs, but on some level it just felt a little off to me.
content warnings:
Spoiler
kinkshaming, minor sexual content, dysfunctional marriages, infidelity, unhealthy/potentially disordered eating habits and mentions of subsequent weight loss, off-page death of parent due to cancer, kleptomaniarep: