A review by kearstinreading
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

It's rare that I can't get into a literary mystery, but 'I Have Some Questions for You' was a serious struggle from start to finish. While I did successfully trudge through this book, I can't say I was excited to read it. The motivation to turn the page was lacking, and it left me wishing for a more engaging narrative. I'm not one to give up easily, so I soldiered on, primarily fueled by the desire to uncover the truth behind the murder and whether justice would eventually prevail. Regrettably, the prose often felt meandering, and the use of second-person narration didn't quite hit the mark for this particular story.

Without revealing too much, I can acknowledge a degree of appreciation for the fact that the book adhered closely to reality. As much as we all yearn for poetic justice and idyllic resolutions in our reads, this book opted for an ending that, while far from ideal, might be closer to what would transpire in real life.

Despite my feelings about the ending and my idealistic wishes, I have to assign 'I Have Some Questions for You' a rating of 2.0 stars. In my view, the narrative could have reached its conclusion much more expeditiously and in a far more gripping manner.

Quick summary: 

The central character, Bodie, is a successful podcaster and film professor with a somewhat tumultuous past, marked by the murder of a former classmate and roommate, Thalia. Initially content to leave the past behind and focus on her present, Bodie's life takes a sharp turn when she returns to the boarding school of her youth to teach a course. An undeniable urge to uncover the truth about Thalia's murder consumes her. Was the right person convicted? Did the police rush to close the case, leaving justice unserved? And did Bodie herself play a role in this miscarriage of justice? These questions form the backdrop for the novel, but the execution left much to be desired.

In the realm of literary mysteries, 'I Have Some Questions for You' regrettably falls short, making it a challenging read for those seeking a gripping and immersive narrative.