Ratings840
Average rating4.2
In so many ways, this book was very interesting, but in so many ways, I literally “hated” it.
Here's my summary of why I feel this way:
1. The quality of the writing/prose is actually quite good and enjoyable.
2. The setting and types of things discussed are right in my “comfort reading” wheelhouse
but...
3. The main relationships in the book are ALL quite toxic and for no good reason.
4. The main character (I would say Sadie is the main character 1a, with Sam being 1b right behind her) repeatedly holds things against Sam based on her own projection onto him, while it appears to be the author's intent that Sam is actually NOT guilty of any of these things. Yet Sadie never owns up to this error. She just treats Sam like crap and expects him to be OK with it.
5. There is a strong element of radical liberal power fantasy to the politics of the book which I would imagine will get it strong reviews from the book-reading mafia, but which are rather ludicrous and unnecessary.
I actually came around to liking Sam Masur and Marks pretty well by the end, but overall, I would consider this book to be a modern tragedy. Maybe a romantic tragedy. In general, that isn't a genre I enjoy (either the romance side or the tragedy side). Those who love those two aspects in fiction will almost certainly love this one as I do feel it is well-written.