How should a person be?

There are times when I read something and realize halfway through that I'm not smart enough, or cultured enough, to fully understand what the author is trying to do. It's clear that Heti is trying to write an “ugly” novel, but a lot of that intent seems to have passed me by. Mostly, I found this book to be a lot of words about art and friendship and self-questioning, without really saying much about all of them. The prose is heavy, but that is likely done in purpose; there were some beautiful moments in its leadenness, but overall it didn't quite resonate. It's probably a great book—I'm just not “with it” enough to get it.