A review by applesodaperson
Either/Or by Elif Batuman

inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I honestly did not know that this book was a direct sequel to The Idiot, so good thing I have read this previously. But I do think The Idiot needs to be read first, because without it, the reader of this book won't understand anything about Selin's relationship to Ivan or friendship with Svetlana. Anyways, I really enjoyed this book! My absolute favorite thing about Batuman's writing is how she is always asking questions about life and about why things are the way the are. It prompts me to think so much about my own life and ways of thinking. But like The Idiot, my favorite part of this book was when she was at Harvard. And then I liked the part about her in Turkey even less than I liked the part about her in Hungary in the last book. I felt like Selin's time in Turkey was only about her being preyed on by terrible and creepy men, which made me feel really icky. I much prefer the intelligent conversations she has with her classmates at Harvard. 
Read from the Provo library. 
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