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A review by caitlin_89
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
5.0
This is an exceptional novel. I detect notes of Ishiguro's Remains of the Day, a flavor reminiscent of Ian McEwan's wry observation and dry, bitter humor, a dash of Shelley's Frankenstein (what of the monster that made the monster?), and about 20 distinct vocabulary words I have never read or heard in my life.
Also, I love its handling of dialogue. Love.
This is an impressive, insightful, and surprisingly funny book, which, to me, defies the "thriller" label on its cover. (It was provocative, but "thrilling" evokes a heart-thumping, hand-sweating read, which this was not.) Someone asked "so, is it more like a spy book or a war book?" I said "Neither. It's more like a cerebral work of literary fiction with the feel of an epistolary novel or confessional." Because that's what it is. And it's a dang good one. You're welcome.
Edit: Ok, because I am recommending this book to ... basically everyone because I thought it was great... a caveat: there are some 2 or 3 sexually distasteful scenes, several murder scenes, and an excruciating rape scene that are all very unpleasant to read. Just.. a warning. But IMO, the book is totally worth the read.
Also, I love its handling of dialogue. Love.
This is an impressive, insightful, and surprisingly funny book, which, to me, defies the "thriller" label on its cover. (It was provocative, but "thrilling" evokes a heart-thumping, hand-sweating read, which this was not.) Someone asked "so, is it more like a spy book or a war book?" I said "Neither. It's more like a cerebral work of literary fiction with the feel of an epistolary novel or confessional." Because that's what it is. And it's a dang good one. You're welcome.
Edit: Ok, because I am recommending this book to ... basically everyone because I thought it was great... a caveat: there are some 2 or 3 sexually distasteful scenes, several murder scenes, and an excruciating rape scene that are all very unpleasant to read. Just.. a warning. But IMO, the book is totally worth the read.