yetanothersusan 's review for:

Anthem by Noah Hawley

3.0

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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This was a difficult book to read. Set a few years after the COVID pandemic we are still in, the author does not sugar coat the political and social climate and how views towards how to fight the virus divided the nation. At points throughout the book it almost felt like this whole thing was a farcical comedy and we were being made fun of, regardless of which side of the controversies we fall on. Did I mention it was a heavy read? It was long and disturbing. However, every time a character stated "we are on a mission from God" it was a mental break as I couldn't help but think of the Blues Brothers. Somehow I doubt that was the author's intention. Finally, I think the pretentious use of math throughout the book to drive home points that were already quite well made and the author's frequent breaking of the fourth wall got to be a bit much for me. This all coalesced in the epilogue where it went a bit too far and felt straight up preachy. So, while I might recommend this book, it might not be the right book for many right now.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.