Though this book appears to take place sometime in the 1970s, its main character, Brian, in many ways resembles a 21st century archetype: the incel.
BThough this book appears to take place sometime in the 1970s, its main character, Brian, in many ways resembles a 21st century archetype: the incel.
Brian is an incredibly talented and imaginative artist -- and is, at least on the surface, a "nice guy." (Unless you're, say, his alcoholic mother.)
He has a crush on a young woman (Laurie) that he's unable to articulate; instead, he treats her as some flat, unknowable muse, a mysterious beauty that turns up over and over in his sketchbook.
While Laurie is kinder than Brian has any right to expect, he's clearly incapable of understanding the limits of her interest -- platonic friendship.
Burns does a lovely job simultaneously giving us Brian's myopic point of view and Laurie's freer, more self-aware perspective.
Burns also nicely deploys a running metaphor -- an alien cranial-like pod that flies through the air. This, more or less, is Brian's mind. A free-floating, extraterrestrial consciousness with no real connection to planet Earth.
As others have said, this is yet another book about a man obsessed with a muse whose humanity is only notionally interesting to him. (Indeed, Brian is a projector, casting his vision onto Laurie, who he [whether he realizes it or not] treats as a blank screen for his ambitions and wants.)
But, unlike many of those other books, Burns lets Brian reveal himself while giving Laurie her own voice, wants and feelings.
And, as always, beyond the story, there is always the art, which elevates Burns' storytelling with moody, surreal and gorgeous flourishes -- images only he could create. ...more
This book is such a magic trick. It evokes the aimlessness of college while being propulsive. Selin is a character I love to spend time with. She's naThis book is such a magic trick. It evokes the aimlessness of college while being propulsive. Selin is a character I love to spend time with. She's naive, but incredibly intelligent. Mean (hilariously), but also incredibly sensitive.
Rattling around in her head for a 2nd book was a pleasure. As was the ongoing theme of stilted early-ish internet communications.
This novel ends with a clear indication that at least a 3rd book could be underway. If so, I cannot wait.
Intermezzo is recognizably a Sally Rooney book, but in this novel she's pushing her writing into a sprawlinHere's why people love or hate this book.*
Intermezzo is recognizably a Sally Rooney book, but in this novel she's pushing her writing into a sprawling, maximalist direction. Moments are presented in exhausting or engrossing detail, depending on how immersive you find this kind of work, which reminds me (not in style but in approach) of books like Infinite Jest and the My Struggle series.
In reaching for the wholeness of experience, this book is either going to suck you in or send you looking for stories with a more "efficient" approach to scenes.
I couldn't finish this book -- the first Rooney book I didn't voraciously consume. And I think that's fine. I think maximalism is just one of those big stylistic swings that's going to create devotees alongside rafts of critics.
But whether or not this book works for you, it's clear Rooney isn't tainted by commercial considerations or delivering what's expected of her.
*I gave this book five stars because I'm a bit sick of using ratings as a bludgeon against authors (especially since they have such strong real-world consequences for sales). ...more
Weike Wang just doesn't miss. This time around, she kettles her couple, Nate and Keru (like Peru) in 2 different vacation houses at two stages of theiWeike Wang just doesn't miss. This time around, she kettles her couple, Nate and Keru (like Peru) in 2 different vacation houses at two stages of their relationship. And, just like those horror films set in remote vacation homes, this book lets every ounce of tension, hypocrisy and dread build -- until it's unleashed in superficially funny but also disturbing ways.
This book is incredibly funny (as always with Wang's work) but it's also much less hopeful than her last two books. (Maybe it's just where we are in 2024.)
Ultimately, we're left staring into the gulf between the recent immigrant experience and those of multi-generational Americans, which has everything to do with money, status, security, belonging and stability. Did you notice I left out happiness? That doesn't even come near to reaching the top of the list....more
Loading...
