A review by abbie_
What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book focused on the relationship between an American professor and a Bulgarian hustler - if enjoyed can be the right word, as it’s super bleak. It’s very similar in themes to Greenwell’s second novel, Cleanness, which I read last year, but I actually think this debut is stronger. It’s more propulsive, doesn’t get as bogged down by the purple prose - though the writing is still beautiful. I liked the way we also got a glimpse of the narrator’s childhood, it helps you understand more about why he became the man he does. His relationship with Mitko is fascinating to watch develop, dependent as it is on sex and money. We never really get to see who Mitko really is, only ever through the eyes of the professor. Melancholic and poetic!
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