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A review by librar_bee
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3 stars. Parts of this novel were standout, entirely 5-star material. Taylor's character development skills is a master lesson in creativity, and I adored the subtle class commentary that hovered among the different artists and workers profiled in Iowa City. This is an excellent novel that describes what it means to be a creative, a lover, and a human in the modern American age without ever explicitly addressing the question.
The pacing was incredibly off. Seamus disappears halfway through the book, as does Fyodor. Fatima, a prominent mention in the book description, is barely addressed until the end, and the focal point of her narrative is a sexual assault. Bea, a character on the outskirts, is mentioned once towards the end and never again in connection with the characters. The cabin subplot begins in the last 50 pages and doesn't serve as a climax. This novel would have been better with rotating narratives the way it began with Seamus and Fyodor.
The pacing was incredibly off. Seamus disappears halfway through the book, as does Fyodor. Fatima, a prominent mention in the book description, is barely addressed until the end, and the focal point of her narrative is a sexual assault. Bea, a character on the outskirts, is mentioned once towards the end and never again in connection with the characters. The cabin subplot begins in the last 50 pages and doesn't serve as a climax. This novel would have been better with rotating narratives the way it began with Seamus and Fyodor.