A review by livfin
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I found this book agonisingly boring. Thankfully it's short. The child narration style is frustrating; it feels like an excuse to write about plain, simple observations in plain, simple sentences that just aren’t that interesting or insightful. A comparison could be 'Klara and the Sun', narrated by a robot (an 'artificial friend'). The latter's simplicity was beautifully executed, and the narrator's naiveté and directness was the style's strength. I could feel the author of 'Western Lane' trying to push meaning through its uncomplicated sentences, but for me, none of it broke through. The adjective ‘milky’ was used too many times, which for me hinted that behind the simple style there really wasn't much skill or imagination. I understand it's a book about grief, but it wasn't moving or compelling or memorable. I found the play-by-plays of squash games tedious. I’m baffled as to how this is on the Booker Prize shortlist.