A review by tnociti
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was so hard for me to rate this book.  I settled on using the CAWPILE method just to take the subjectivity out of it.   I loved the writing (unsurprised - I had already read The Great Believers) and I adore Makkai's ability to write human insight, experience, and just her craft - she can write a GREAT paragraph.  But the absurdity of the story, my inability to buy this 26 yr old female and her ability to be duped by everyone, and at the same time her inability to connect with anyone beyond a 10 yr old boy who's story she is writing herself rather than asking him...well...
My final takeaway - a favorite writer of mine (brilliant if you ask me) and not their best work.  Or at least, not for me.
The paragraph on books, though, is worth the price of admission!!!!!!