A review by corvidcorvid
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

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

2.5

Slow to get going, at many times long-winded, sometimes preachy, often condescending of the characters, who were practically caricatures, but insightful. I didn't care for the ending, so I'm just going to imagine it differently. 

The creepiest aspect of the book, imo, was the infiltration of privacy with technology that's nearly impossible for laypeople to recognize. I gasped and physically cringed when
Robert revealed how he knew who Mira was, and when he usurped Mira's phone. Mira, and the rest of Birnam Wood, had NO questions at him having deposited the initial $10k directly into her bank account to demonstrate that he was legit. That was the linchpin for me, where I want to believe I would have nope'd out.
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