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A review by otterno11
Rubik by Elizabeth Tan
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One could put together a wild conspiracy wall trying to piece together the myriad connections and elements of this enigmatic novel/collection of short stories, and I loved all of it. In Rubik, Elizabeth Tan creates an intricate tapestry of contemporary life weaving in all the weirdness and darkness that imbues it, from online fan forum drama to guerilla marketing. Experimenting with form and genre in a way I found extremely compelling, Tan writes her characters through multiple viewpoints, examining the ambiguous presence of technology and pop culture in our lives in an extremely realistic and yet also exceedingly strange way. I really enjoyed the Perth setting, which seems like just the sort of minor metropolis where such strange and yet familiar things are happening. Capturing the absurdity of the modern world, Rubik is among the most accurate depictions of the zeitgeist I have come across yet, and Tan’s compassion for the triumphs, tragedies, and secrets of her characters is inspiring.
Following several loosely connected threads, including the tragic death of a young woman, a super popular anime, Aussie meat pies, a cult-classic sci-fi novel, a viral video, voice work, modeling, and the art world, the stories are each distinct in form and tone. From correspondence between a lonely receptionist and the bot trying to sell him cheap electronics to a journalism student operating under action videogame logic, Tan shows an impressive versatility throughout. Yet flow into each other in ways obvious and subtle, leading me to pour back through the stories looking for connections.
Despite the tapestry being created by Rubik, its threads do not come together perfectly and I find myself thinking about the book after finishing it, wondering about the puzzles that persist, what clues did I miss? What is the timeline? Where did this all begin? In many ways, that is the most realistic part of it, especially in regards to our constant bombardment of the vaguely relevant information we confront daily on our social media and news feeds. How does it all fit together? If only we could have a wider lens, perhaps it would all make sense.
Following several loosely connected threads, including the tragic death of a young woman, a super popular anime, Aussie meat pies, a cult-classic sci-fi novel, a viral video, voice work, modeling, and the art world, the stories are each distinct in form and tone. From correspondence between a lonely receptionist and the bot trying to sell him cheap electronics to a journalism student operating under action videogame logic, Tan shows an impressive versatility throughout. Yet flow into each other in ways obvious and subtle, leading me to pour back through the stories looking for connections.
Despite the tapestry being created by Rubik, its threads do not come together perfectly and I find myself thinking about the book after finishing it, wondering about the puzzles that persist, what clues did I miss? What is the timeline? Where did this all begin? In many ways, that is the most realistic part of it, especially in regards to our constant bombardment of the vaguely relevant information we confront daily on our social media and news feeds. How does it all fit together? If only we could have a wider lens, perhaps it would all make sense.