One of the reasons I started this website was to write about books. I read a fair number of them and am always looking for someone to listen to my thoughts about the books I've read and the books I want to read. But now I don't have to wait, I can just share! So here we go with review #1, The Idiot by Elif Batuman (side note- I misspelled her name at first and am super glad I caught it because how embarrassing would that have been given that I'm a literal English major so knowing how to spell is sort of a requirement AND IT'S RIGHT ABOVE MY EYES. Phew, that was close).
My reasons for purchasing this book were twofold, and I only mildly regret doing so for one very small reason.
Reason Number One. A long time ago I set about with the goal of reading all Pulitzer Prize-winning books (how elitist of me, I know) which somehow morphed into wanting to read all of the runner-ups as well. This book was a runner-up in 2018 so when I saw it in a used bookstore, (I buy almost all of my books used), I thought it sensible to purchase.
Reason Number Two. The binding of the book is mildly screwed up and there's a section of about 10 pages that stick out from the rest, rendering it a very inexpensive purchase at $4.00. The book was on my list and right in my budget so obviously I made everyone I was with stop and wait outside while I ran in to pay. I have such a magnanimous soul.
The only reason I regretted buying this book was that I happened to see it on the sidewalk of a used bookstore on my way from Georgetown to Logan Circle. The walk was only a mile or so but it was in the middle of summer in DC which means that it was about 87 degrees and felt like 102 with humidity and I had to carry the thing the whole way because I was too dumb to bring a bag so, at the time, it made me a bit grumpy. Now, this may not seem at all relevant but I include this portion of the story to demonstrate just how dedicated I am to the reading process. One might even call me a martyr. But alas, I digress in my pursuit to discuss what I actually thought was a lovely book.
My thoughts. For me, this book was odd because, as I was reading, I fell on either side of the spectrum of enjoyment without spending too much time in the center. I was either totally engrossed by the main character, Selin, or I was utterly bored and/or frustrated with her and her decisions. Given how much the book was centered around character development rather than plot points, my admiration or disdain of Selin was largely correlated with my overall enjoyment of the novel and fluctuated as I plowed through the story.
At first, I enjoyed Selin's narration of her freshman year at college and identified with her experiences. She (not sure if this was the author's voice creeping in or a deliberate character choice) had this distinct way of stating the irony of a situation hidden beneath implicit and misunderstood social cues that I found uniquely hilarious. But as the novel progressed, her quippy and intellectual inner monologue couldn't make up for the fact that she was chasing after a boy who was obviously stringing her along or how she never stood up to him and allowed him to treat her like a second choice over and over again. Though the writing was beautiful throughout the novel, by the end I was sick of Selin and ready to move on.
Yet, despite my frustration, I actually loved the book. I have no idea if this was her intent, but Batuman forced me to answer the question: do you need to like the protagonist in order to like the book? Prior to reading The Idiot, I probably would've said yes. But now I'm not so sure. Unless this is the exception to the rule, I guess I don't think you have to support the main character at all in order to enjoy the book. It might help initially, but now I think my dislike of Selin deepened my appreciation for the novel. Instead of wasting energy bemoaning Selin's misfortunes, I was able to focus on the development of the other characters and how the novel flowed as an overall story. Even though Selin was the narrator, because I didn't usually agree with her inner monologue, I didn't feel as though I was seeing the world through her eyes; it's almost as if I was seeing what she saw alongside her.
In summation, I really enjoyed The Idiot. Despite not loving the protagonist I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet story about growing into yourself in college and finding your way on your own. I was inspired by Selin's adventurous (albeit slightly idiotic) spirit and I was left brainstorming my own next adventure beyond a trip to the kitchen. I'd give it 4.2/5 stars.
Has anyone else read The Idiot and felt the same way I did? Or maybe felt differently about the book? If so, let me know!!
xx, lindz
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