A review by mirrortower
The Idiot by Elif Batuman

medium-paced

3.5

I don't understand why this was labeled funny. I found it rather unnerving -- the first third or so was a bit too close to my current life to feel comfortable. But even if that wasn't the case, this isn't a funny book. Selin, who I originally semi-related to, became a total doormat within the first half of the book. It was sad to watch her in all of these relationships with other people, almost never able to assert herself. But in any case, it was engaging. It might be my motivation to go to Istanbul for fall break next year.