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A review by clarabooksit
Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtke
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
Unpopular opinion: this was just okay.
The data and studies that Radtke shares are interesting—the details of the Rhesus monkey study will haunt me forever—and the stories that people allowed her to share of their loneliest moments were deeply moving, but Radtke’s writing and art style felt ironically detached for such a heartfelt subject. The parts that were about the author fell flat for me, and while this is maybe unfair, I found myself wishing that Radtke had put more of her own emotions into it. Loneliness is a tough subject to capture on such a large scope and I think a more personal lens might’ve served better here.
Overall, this lacked emotional impact. It wasn’t bad but I’m not sure why so many people rave about it. Perhaps there’s a disconnect between my expectations and what this book was actually trying to deliver.
The data and studies that Radtke shares are interesting—the details of the Rhesus monkey study will haunt me forever—and the stories that people allowed her to share of their loneliest moments were deeply moving, but Radtke’s writing and art style felt ironically detached for such a heartfelt subject. The parts that were about the author fell flat for me, and while this is maybe unfair, I found myself wishing that Radtke had put more of her own emotions into it. Loneliness is a tough subject to capture on such a large scope and I think a more personal lens might’ve served better here.
Overall, this lacked emotional impact. It wasn’t bad but I’m not sure why so many people rave about it. Perhaps there’s a disconnect between my expectations and what this book was actually trying to deliver.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty