A review by somanybookstoread
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen

challenging dark emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a tough but rewarding and ultimately memorable read. The prose was smart, specific, and at times fun. This helped move me through some really difficult to digest subject matter and created a delicate and necessary balance. I am thoroughly impressed by the novel, and I can see how it would be awarded the Pulitzer. That said, at times the plot was so disjointed that I was frustrated by the extreme challenge of staying caught up with the ultimately important nuances in the character relationships. This is a book I should read again, but it was intense and I'm not sure I will. I do plan to check out the sequel, though.