A review by dufremde
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this hollowed me out, it gutted me like a fish. it's impeccably written—acerbic and poetic sometimes in the same sentence, with meaty yet incisive passages that just carved their way through my brain, rendering the harrowing emotional journey of the protagonist in an unforgettable way. I was genuinely moved, entertained, shocked, and agitated by the immediate action, with a background thrum of existential despondency and an undertow of wonder at Nguyen's ability to thoroughly excavate the broader themes of identity, the limits of friendship, the right to self-determination and self-representation, and the human condition in times of war (among others).

the movie consultant arc was my favorite, bringing together some of those central motifs in a thorough takedown of Hollywood. it had some of the best satire in the entire book but was also emotionally crushing. I also don't think I'll ever forget the culminating torture scene.

the cleaving of the protagonist's identity into two and the impactful POV shift in the final chapters were just masterfully done and one of the most stressful reading experiences of my life.

give it a second pulitzer idc