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alexiscarter 's review for:
Mating
by Norman Rush
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rush wrote this book wanting to show the world his experience of being Nelson, a desired biography, but could have executed it much better. However, it gets 3.75 stars because it is truly unlike anything else I have ever read and I found myself enjoying being in on the bit with the narrator. One of my favorite elements of a novel is when an author creates de-ja-vu for the reader. This happens a few times in this book, and each instance is incredibly satisfying.
I also loved the language used in this novel. I frequently had to google the meaning of words, the history of the discussion, and found it pleasingly challenging. I do find it incredibly frustrating when authors create a storyline to show how educated they are - this book really teetered the line here. This was coupled with the narrator only having intelligent revelations through Nelson. As if when she meets him, she loses track of her PhD (which she does) and any ability to have critical thought or pass the bechdel test. I may be exaggerating.
I realized about half way through reading that this was written by a man, something I had overlooked, but it made everything make sense. There is no hint of the woman experience in this apparently reflective book. It loses a full star on this alone. It is clearly missing from the reading experience and would have improved this book tenfold.
I also loved the language used in this novel. I frequently had to google the meaning of words, the history of the discussion, and found it pleasingly challenging. I do find it incredibly frustrating when authors create a storyline to show how educated they are - this book really teetered the line here. This was coupled with the narrator only having intelligent revelations through Nelson. As if when she meets him, she loses track of her PhD (which she does) and any ability to have critical thought or pass the bechdel test. I may be exaggerating.
I realized about half way through reading that this was written by a man, something I had overlooked, but it made everything make sense. There is no hint of the woman experience in this apparently reflective book. It loses a full star on this alone. It is clearly missing from the reading experience and would have improved this book tenfold.