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A review by cherese
The Arrest by Jonathan Lethem
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
From the very start, it's clear this isn't going to be a straightforward story with all the pieces fitting together neatly. No sir, Lethem's crafted this deliciously bizarre, dreamlike world that just pulls you in and doesn't let go, even if you're scratching your head half the time.
Rather than feeling frustrated by the obscurities, I think you just have to surrender yourself to the ominous, haunting mood Lethem evokes so vividly. It's more about experiencing the book's eccentric poetry and vivid absurdism than necessarily finding rational explanations.
Rather than feeling frustrated by the obscurities, I think you just have to surrender yourself to the ominous, haunting mood Lethem evokes so vividly. It's more about experiencing the book's eccentric poetry and vivid absurdism than necessarily finding rational explanations.
For readers wanting a clear, buttoned-up story, The Arrest will probably drive you nuts. But if you're game for a mesmerizing descent into the baffling unknown, this strange, haunting literary fever dream is an experience unlike any other. Even if I have no earthly idea what it was truly about!