A review by jaigeyes_6
The Idiot by Elif Batuman

challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Overall I thought the book was good. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I had a few reading slumps. The humor is dry and there were times where I literally laughed out loud because I would think same in the situation. 

I related to Selin’s naivety at times when in my freshman year at college. No one knows who they are at that time and are trying to find ways to find themselves. However, there were at times where I would get annoyed at her, and especially Ivan. It was a continuous torture of this guy leading Selin on and abandoning her throughout the book. (I believe he is also older than Selin so it just makes me angrier.) Maybe it’s also that I am older and have seen many of my family and friends go through the same tortuous cycle, that their love situation just sickens me and made me want to stop reading the book.