A review by mikenyby
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

An unconventional mix of thriller and literary genres, but ultimately unsuccessful at blending the two disparate styles.  The thriller elements served to detract from the character-driven literary style and vice-versa. The ending was abrupt and out of character, not that it bothered me,

but the idea that one of the victims got away and managed to cross the mountain with a broken wrist and ankle while being chased by a professional bodyguard with a gun was not credible in the least

. 
While I enjoyed a lot of the trivial political dialogue between young protagonists (it really sounds the way young activists with liberal arts degrees talk!), I couldn't help but thinking the author was using the book to immortalize some of her shower thoughts.

So altogether, a mixed reading experience.