knbee 's review for:

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

3.0

---

Listening to this novel was a bumpy ride for me. Loved it, hated it. Loved it, hated it. Firstly, yes- it is beautifully written, well planned, exquisitely layered (heartbreaking and infuriating stories within stories), deserving of the praise, etc., etc. But man… the parents have some qualities I apparently have a real hard time swallowing. They are too... “cultured,” I guess? Enough with the name dropping of writers and musicians and dancers and artists and whoever else. Sheesh. And their treatment of their kids... so distant and selfish so much of the time. I realize this was by design, part of the Story and all, but it was enough that I almost quit it. And then I thought there may be some clarity (and redemption?) when the son narrates, admitting his parents’ shortcomings at one point. It wasn’t long after that when I got hung up on how he seemed MUCH too mature for a 10-year-old. ANYWAYS… lots of good things and lots of bad… Glad I finished, relieved I’m done.