polarclaire1612 's review for:

Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy

3.5

inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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One has to suspend their disbelief when reading this book and treat it more as a primary source from the Gilded Age in American history. Bellamy wrote this novel as a critique of the latter half of the 19th century and imagines a better world set in the year 2000. Most of the novel is dialogue driven, most pages filled with conversation between Dr. Leete and Julian West. West’s lack of breakdown from losing his past life, loved ones, etc. can be explained by tremendous shock, but it’s kind of funny to think that if this was a modern story that great detail would be given to his emotional state. Again, much of the pacing, characters, and dialogue can be excused if the book is understood through the context of Bellamy writing a thought experiment/critique first and a traditional novel second.