rae607 's review for:

The Smash-Up by Ali Benjamin

2.0

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"The Smash-Up," a very modern novel with ambitious notions of capturing something important about the historical moment we're experiencing, is also a retelling of Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome." The book explores the #MeToo movement, the Trump administration and Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation hearings. It has great potential and a strong ending, but the narrative is harmed by a sagging middle and a couple of barely plausible plot lines. Ultimately, seeing 2018 through the eyes of a liberal-leaning but basically timid upper-class white guy just isn't that compelling.

Note: I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.