A review by thatotherlisa
The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

2.0

I'm not sure what to say about this book. I enjoyed it more than my rating reflects. It's undoubtedly well-written. The author has some pretty effective tricks up her sleeve. She recreates a compelling world and tells a good story. But... I loathed almost every single character in it. The only character I did not loathe was such a one-dimensional doormat, that I feel I ought to loathe her too. And then there is the fact that the book is apparently about 9-11. But really it's about how 9-11 affects a bunch of self-centered jerks. It felt more like she used 9-11 as a plot point. Meh. I mostly enjoyed it, for what it's worth. I wish there were half stars.