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trin 's review for:
The Borrower
by Rebecca Makkai
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the third Makkai novel that I've read, after being blown away by [book:The Great Believers|45304101] and [book:I Have Some Questions for You|61053829]. It's the earliest, and definitely the least weighty, but the writing is still spritely and compelling -- I love the interstitials aping various children's books -- and the characters so vivid and memorable.
I have to say, it's depressing to observe how much this novel is concerned with Bush-era politics, and what they mean for issues like book bans and the bolstering of the religious right, and to think: oh babe. It's gonna get worse. It did get better, but then it got <i>worse</i>.
But I guess like this protagonist's Russian ancestors: you fight, and then when you can't fight anymore, you run.
I have to say, it's depressing to observe how much this novel is concerned with Bush-era politics, and what they mean for issues like book bans and the bolstering of the religious right, and to think: oh babe. It's gonna get worse. It did get better, but then it got <i>worse</i>.
But I guess like this protagonist's Russian ancestors: you fight, and then when you can't fight anymore, you run.