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A review by notlikethebeer
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was phenomenal. Truly, a tour de force.
I've seen some reviews that imply that what this book does is very basic. I think that's part of where the charm lies. It's about thinking - truly believing - that you Know Stuff, that you're Woke and Aware. And yet that still not being enough. Still finding it easier - or even inevitable - to fall into the patterns you think you're resisting.
Anyway. What really stood out to me - what will live forever rent-free in my head - were the sections where Bodie reflected on what else was going on in the world - when she was overhearing conversations at a party, when she turned on the news. To begin with, those sections confused me a bit, they came across as her not caring. But then I realised that that wasn't it: it was the fatigue, of a world where such stories are endless and everywhere. The way that Rebecca Makkai drew on real-world examples, to really reinforce the sheer volume and scope of violence against women. The way that all of the details blend into one. I get shivers just thinking about how incredibly powerful that was, how simple a technique yet how effective.
I also liked that, in terms of the sub-plot (regarding Bodie's ex-partner), there was no easy resolution. She felt certain ways, and she made mistakes, and there were no answers. I definitely couldn't give you the answers. I'm glad Makkai didn't try to.
The ending was a sick realisation: I genuinely felt my stomach plummet when I finally accepted that yes, that was where we were headed. It was handled so perfectly, yet was so awful, all wrapped up in one.
Easily one of my top books of this year, probably my top books of all time.
I've seen some reviews that imply that what this book does is very basic. I think that's part of where the charm lies. It's about thinking - truly believing - that you Know Stuff, that you're Woke and Aware. And yet that still not being enough. Still finding it easier - or even inevitable - to fall into the patterns you think you're resisting.
Anyway. What really stood out to me - what will live forever rent-free in my head - were the sections where Bodie reflected on what else was going on in the world - when she was overhearing conversations at a party, when she turned on the news. To begin with, those sections confused me a bit, they came across as her not caring. But then I realised that that wasn't it: it was the fatigue, of a world where such stories are endless and everywhere. The way that Rebecca Makkai drew on real-world examples, to really reinforce the sheer volume and scope of violence against women. The way that all of the details blend into one. I get shivers just thinking about how incredibly powerful that was, how simple a technique yet how effective.
I also liked that, in terms of the sub-plot (regarding Bodie's ex-partner), there was no easy resolution. She felt certain ways, and she made mistakes, and there were no answers. I definitely couldn't give you the answers. I'm glad Makkai didn't try to.
The ending was a sick realisation: I genuinely felt my stomach plummet when I finally accepted that yes, that was where we were headed. It was handled so perfectly, yet was so awful, all wrapped up in one.
Easily one of my top books of this year, probably my top books of all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship