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A review by the_bitchy_booker
No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is an addictive, stunning account of being absolutely immersed in the internet and then, suddenly, coming unplugged.
The narrator is internet-famous for asking whether or not dogs can be twins. The first half of the book reads and feels exactly like falling down the rabbit hole of the internet, where one thought follows another follows another and they all begin to warp together, to warp each other, to warp you.
Then, suddenly, her sister becomes pregnant. This does not dislodge her from the whirlwind behind the screen. What does it is the diagnosis in utero of a life -threatening rare genetic disease. I can't be the only person who stopped reading to Google the baby's illness, which in itself makes you reflect on the theme of the novel. What does it is her sister not being able to get an abortion or even an early induction. What does it is the marvelous, miraculous short life of a beloved child, into whom we are all absorbed.
The tone of the novel shifts, and we never again fall back into the reality of the internet. It never gets a hold on us, or the narrator, after coming face to face with incontrovertible, undimmable life.
A stunning reflection on life in these bizarre times.
Could this novel win the Booker? It's about the internet and very political so probably not. (I know the award has been announced but I haven't checked the winner so please don't spoil me).
TW for mention of rape, child illness, infant death, sexually crude language.
Passing reference to the existence of LGBTQ+ people.
The narrator is internet-famous for asking whether or not dogs can be twins. The first half of the book reads and feels exactly like falling down the rabbit hole of the internet, where one thought follows another follows another and they all begin to warp together, to warp each other, to warp you.
Then, suddenly, her sister becomes pregnant. This does not dislodge her from the whirlwind behind the screen. What does it is the diagnosis in utero of a life -threatening rare genetic disease. I can't be the only person who stopped reading to Google the baby's illness, which in itself makes you reflect on the theme of the novel. What does it is her sister not being able to get an abortion or even an early induction. What does it is the marvelous, miraculous short life of a beloved child, into whom we are all absorbed.
The tone of the novel shifts, and we never again fall back into the reality of the internet. It never gets a hold on us, or the narrator, after coming face to face with incontrovertible, undimmable life.
A stunning reflection on life in these bizarre times.
Could this novel win the Booker? It's about the internet and very political so probably not. (I know the award has been announced but I haven't checked the winner so please don't spoil me).
TW for mention of rape, child illness, infant death, sexually crude language.
Passing reference to the existence of LGBTQ+ people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault and Abortion