marcynewman 's review for:

Tremor by Teju Cole

3.0

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I didn't enjoy this novel as much as Cole's first work of fiction - "Open City." I think it's because the novel reads as if there is a large tremor five chapters in. I became engrossed in the story of the protagonist and then all of a sudden the narrative is ruptured by a lecture at a museum that he delivers. It's followed by vignettes of various people in Lagos before returning to the main story. I don't feel like these pieces are woven together very well. It was abrupt and once we return to the main narrative, I didn't think it was as moving as the first few chapters. That said, the ideas that Cole presents in his writing about art, photography, migration, colonialism are all smart, impactful, and engaging. And for those reasons I always enjoy reading his words.