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A review by st_vasil
The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had high hopes for the sequel, as I thought The Sympathizer was the best fiction book I had read in years. Unfortunately The Committed felt nowhere near as compelling or enjoyable as the first.
Nguyen tries to get a little too clever with the protagonist’s constant monologues, and in the process the writing comes off self-satisfied and pretentious. It’s the Catch 22 trap — the first couple times it feels witty, but by the 20th time a joke is repeated it’s gotten to be a dull chore.
My other issue is the plot itself was disappointing. Comes off like a bad action movie full of cliches.
There are definitely worthwhile parts of the story. But I feel I could have read just the first 50 pages and last 30 pages to get all the positive of it.
Nguyen tries to get a little too clever with the protagonist’s constant monologues, and in the process the writing comes off self-satisfied and pretentious. It’s the Catch 22 trap — the first couple times it feels witty, but by the 20th time a joke is repeated it’s gotten to be a dull chore.
My other issue is the plot itself was disappointing. Comes off like a bad action movie full of cliches.
There are definitely worthwhile parts of the story. But I feel I could have read just the first 50 pages and last 30 pages to get all the positive of it.