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carolinecalvano's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
T. C Boyle is an extremely talented author, and as a history nerd who learns best through fiction, this was the perfect way for me to learn about the Harvard LSD experiments. The characters are extremely flawed and multidimensional, and the vivid descriptions of their psychedelic trips are fascinating to read. I love that it changes location throughout, so that there are distinct sections to help break up the novel. Boyle is mostly successful in managing such a large ensemble of characters, most of whom are intriguing in their own right, though the novel really hones in on Fitz and Joanie’s journeys. Overall, I appreciated the opportunity to read about a topic that intrigued me from a talented author. HOWEVER, I’m not sure Boyle and I would necessarily get along in real life, as the offensive and outdated language and themes of the novel are hard to separate from the author. The main character sexually harasses an eighteen year old for the bulk of the final section, which is foreshadowed in the first section when he describes a character who I believe was a minor at least at the time using an overtly sexual metaphor . Additionally, when the characters travel to Mexico (I believe they are all white), they describe themselves as “going native” and seem to see the locals as savage and unrefined . Fitz additionally makes a comment about “not knowing how he feels about that sort of thing” in regards to a queer colleague . So if you can get through all of that, it’s a good read, but as intrigued as I am by what I believe to be the subject matter of the rest of his extensive bibliography, I don’t think I’ll be picking up another Boyle volume for at least another year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
The themes of this book are a bit classist, as, IMHO, the LSD revolution was in and of itself, so I suppose it’s historically accurate, but it can be a bit aggravating at times.
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