Scan barcode
A review by franalibi
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Throughout the whole book, I was hooked. I felt I got to know Selin and her views and discoveries on a personal level, until it stops abruptly - and sadly - right at the end.
I felt this whole plot was written wonderfully and I particularly like how Batuman makes Selin’s character as observant as possible, which leads to descriptions of random events and scenery. (And makes the novel even richer in context) Selin’s friends, Svetlana and Ivan allow her to have life experiences with them. (From experiences in uni to going to different countries like France and Hungary.) In this way, Selin grows as a person at university, and you also witness the love and self conflict when she’s trying to work out what Ivan’s relationship with her resembles. (He’s very vague about what she means to him, and he does have a girlfriend...)
It ends with Selin making a decision and you’re left wondering, was this all done because of a boy or was it because of her natural curiosity, and it ran its course? This was an amazing coming of age story, and if you want something different, I highly recommend it!
I felt this whole plot was written wonderfully and I particularly like how Batuman makes Selin’s character as observant as possible, which leads to descriptions of random events and scenery. (And makes the novel even richer in context) Selin’s friends, Svetlana and Ivan allow her to have life experiences with them. (From experiences in uni to going to different countries like France and Hungary.) In this way, Selin grows as a person at university, and you also witness the love and self conflict when she’s trying to work out what Ivan’s relationship with her resembles. (He’s very vague about what she means to him, and he does have a girlfriend...)
It ends with Selin making a decision and you’re left wondering, was this all done because of a boy or was it because of her natural curiosity, and it ran its course? This was an amazing coming of age story, and if you want something different, I highly recommend it!