A review by an0987
The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is strange and interestingly absurd. There were times when the writing sucked me in and I found the story compelling. However, I don’t think this book succeeded in transmitting even a vaguely cohesive argument/analysis/ social commentary, even though that’s what it seemed to want to do. Maybe it didn’t want to do so, and seeming to want to do so was meant to be part of the charm. I dunno. 

Either way, I’m not mad that I read this book but I’m also not going to recommend it to anyone I know. I enjoyed the post-apocalyptic world building but the plot wasn’t strong enough and the characters flat, especially in the final third of the book. This is kind of something you could read on holiday if you want to something strange yet inconclusive; a fluff read without actually being fluffy.