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alex_kirsch 's review for:
The MANIAC
by Benjamín Labatut
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love books that are character driven rather than plot driven. This book largely focuses on one character, Jon von Neumann, and we learn about him through dozens of other voices, like documentary testimonials. The voices that we hear from are distinct: some adore Jon, some fear him, some hate him, some can barely begin to explain him. Some are reliable narrators and some are not. This book left me with countless questions and it’s one I’d like to read again. I love this style of writing, and it’s nothing like I’ve read before!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death