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mjacton's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is the eighth and by far most difficult novel to read in my chronological reading of Pulitzer Prize-winning novels/fiction.
None of the characters, or character types, goes unscathed by the satirical knife. This is primarily a medical satire that is quite relevant today, with references to both the 1918 flu epidemic and a fictional plague combining to almost completely mirror the way the public and health officials responded (and continue) to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s hard to know which side of that equation gets the worst criticism, but science always wins. However, the reader who knows more about early 20th Century America and the state of medicine/public health would understand better.
This is satire-driven, with semi-rich characters and very purposely disjointed plot.
I think I need to read this again someday to notice all the details and maybe understand it’s nuances better, but I’m glad I read it.
Content Warnings: Early 20th Century racial language and satirical references to Eugenics.
None of the characters, or character types, goes unscathed by the satirical knife. This is primarily a medical satire that is quite relevant today, with references to both the 1918 flu epidemic and a fictional plague combining to almost completely mirror the way the public and health officials responded (and continue) to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s hard to know which side of that equation gets the worst criticism, but science always wins. However, the reader who knows more about early 20th Century America and the state of medicine/public health would understand better.
This is satire-driven, with semi-rich characters and very purposely disjointed plot.
I think I need to read this again someday to notice all the details and maybe understand it’s nuances better, but I’m glad I read it.
Content Warnings: Early 20th Century racial language and satirical references to Eugenics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
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