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chelsbels 's review for:
Universality
by Natasha Brown
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Universality by Natasha Brown
Is golden!
From the image and the blurb about the book, I figured I was going to read a book about a journalist sucked into the mob or crime or something whilst investigating a story; which all starts off with an attempted murder via a blow to the head with a gold brick. That could not be further from what this book is actually about.
Yes, there is a gold brick, and there is a journalist, and there is an assault, but no more mob & crime than any other mainstream novel. Instead we dive into the world of perspectives, media, relationships, narratives, frameworks and the politics of those with enough time to think they are the most oppressed demographic.
It’s absolutely fascinating.
The book is told in parts, we have the news article (sort of like a long reads Guardian article). As we read through the article it's curious voice gives rise to the reader questioning what actually happened. The next sections follow the aftermath of this exposé following the author, the banker, and the populist respectfully. We circle back, link up and get more puzzle pieces fitting together as we read different perspectives.
In the end the reader is given little doubt as to who is really in control, and how they use, manipulate, and narrate to create for themselves alone the perfect position and wealth. It’s a great meditation on popularism and its truth.
This book is for anyone interested in politics, media, sociology or great literature.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Violence