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A review by cat_rector
Pew by Catherine Lacey
4.0
I knew this book would be different going in, but I didn't realise how challenging it would be to rate it afterwards.
Pew was thought-provoking above all, and is something to be meditated on. I feel like I'll think back on this book over time, about the questions it asked about society and about the style of the writing. Personally, I did find it more "important" than "enjoyable" and you can decipher that however you want, since I'm not even entirely sure how I mean it.
For me, the primary standouts of this book were the discussion of gender, race, ethnicity etc when applied or not applied to the character of Pew. I saw one of my own bad habits in this book, reminding me of the times that I'll decide someone's intentions for them when they neglect to give me information of their own. With Pew unable to give information about themselves, each member of the town decides who Pew is on their own terms.
The other thing I found really interesting here was the examination of the town itself. Without spoiling anything, we learn a lot about the town and its residents through the monologuing to the blank slate of Pew. It's like Pew serves as some sort of confession booth for the town, which is interesting in light of my interpretation of the ending.
What I wasn't thrilled by was the slow pace, but I don't think that's a problem with the book. It might just be time for me to read something faster. If you're looking for a book in which Things Happen, this isn't the book for you. The 206-page book is a lot of one-sided conversation with some scene-setting in between.
As mixed a review as this probably reads as, I have no regrets and was happy to explore a style of writing that deviates from the norm!
Pew was thought-provoking above all, and is something to be meditated on. I feel like I'll think back on this book over time, about the questions it asked about society and about the style of the writing. Personally, I did find it more "important" than "enjoyable" and you can decipher that however you want, since I'm not even entirely sure how I mean it.
For me, the primary standouts of this book were the discussion of gender, race, ethnicity etc when applied or not applied to the character of Pew. I saw one of my own bad habits in this book, reminding me of the times that I'll decide someone's intentions for them when they neglect to give me information of their own. With Pew unable to give information about themselves, each member of the town decides who Pew is on their own terms.
The other thing I found really interesting here was the examination of the town itself. Without spoiling anything, we learn a lot about the town and its residents through the monologuing to the blank slate of Pew. It's like Pew serves as some sort of confession booth for the town, which is interesting in light of my interpretation of the ending.
What I wasn't thrilled by was the slow pace, but I don't think that's a problem with the book. It might just be time for me to read something faster. If you're looking for a book in which Things Happen, this isn't the book for you. The 206-page book is a lot of one-sided conversation with some scene-setting in between.
As mixed a review as this probably reads as, I have no regrets and was happy to explore a style of writing that deviates from the norm!