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A review by ericfheiman
Remainder by Tom McCarthy
5.0
It's rare that a novel with such provocative ideas can also transcend them enough to tell a compelling story with characters in which we can invest ourselves. Upon a second reading, this book may warrant a five star rating, but for now I'm going to let it sit in the back of my mind and see if it manages to stay there. It's hard for me to even describe aptly the things of which "Remainder" grapples without ruining it (or not doing it justice) for the unknowing potential reader. Suffice to say, its exploration of memory (and loss thereof), what makes us human (and happy humans) is nothing short of fascinating.
What is additionally amazing is that the intellectual arguments running underneath the whole of the novel manage to make it more of a human, feeling book rather than undermine its potential. The story's endgame is simultaneously humorous and highly disturbing, also no mean feat. If anything, this is a book you want friends to read just so you have someone with whom to discuss it and argue vehemently over.
What is additionally amazing is that the intellectual arguments running underneath the whole of the novel manage to make it more of a human, feeling book rather than undermine its potential. The story's endgame is simultaneously humorous and highly disturbing, also no mean feat. If anything, this is a book you want friends to read just so you have someone with whom to discuss it and argue vehemently over.