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A review by monicadee88
The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
3.0
I'm not really sure what to say about this book except that I have extremely conflicting emotions about it. The novel is written superbly; Faber handles several tough topics with admirable grace. Too many times I wanted to underline or sticky note a line or paragraph but unfortunately I used a library copy. The story kept reminding me of Barbara Kingsolver's [b:The Poisonwood Bible|7244|The Poisonwood Bible|Barbara Kingsolver|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1412242487s/7244.jpg|810663]: missionary sent to a foreign land to spread Christianity but the missionary learns more about the "aliens" than they learn about Jesus, and the voyage changes the missionary forever. I thoroughly enjoyed Kingsolver's book, but this one just didn't strike me the same way.
I felt let down by Peter's choices, as well as by those of his wife Bea. At first I was captivated by the mystery behind USIC and their purpose, by the wonders of the strange new world and its inhabitants, and suspense of Peter's and Bea's disintegrating relationship. But once I'd reached the end, I found it severely lacking. So although this book encouraged me to look at our world differently and inspired some deep internal thoughts about religion, it may be a long while before (if ever) I pick up this book again.
I felt let down by Peter's choices, as well as by those of his wife Bea. At first I was captivated by the mystery behind USIC and their purpose, by the wonders of the strange new world and its inhabitants, and suspense of Peter's and Bea's disintegrating relationship. But once I'd reached the end, I found it severely lacking. So although this book encouraged me to look at our world differently and inspired some deep internal thoughts about religion, it may be a long while before (if ever) I pick up this book again.