October Book Review
Welcome to my October 2023 Monthly Reading Wrap-Up!
Before diving in, you might want to check out last month’s reading wrap-up here.
My reviews will have a fluid structure, reflecting my genuine thoughts and feelings about each book. Some reviews will delve deeply, teeming with opinions, while others will be more succinct. This diversity in my reviews is precisely the reason I embarked on this book review journey. I'm passionate about reading and craved a space where I could articulate my reflections without restraint.
Dear readers, something is wrong.
Cosmically.
Mercury must be in retrograde, and the stars are out of alignment because I only read 3 books this month–half my usual average of 6. And to make matters worse, the three I did read, while not exactly flops, were nowhere near hits either. Overall, I had a pretty underwhelming, meh, reading month. But nonetheless, here are my reviews.
This book demonstrates that being intelligent is not the sole criterion for writing a compelling work. In terms of content and ideas, the book easily earns a rating of 4.5 to 5 stars. However, when it comes to readability and execution, it languishes in the low 2-star range. I've previously discussed the importance of nonfiction avoiding the drab, textbook-like tone, a pitfall this book unfortunately doesn't evade. There are vocab terms—vocab terms!!—presented without any semblance of conversational engagement.
While the author deserves credit for drawing upon multiple disciplines to attempt the first comprehensive analysis of how status shapes cultural change, the book suffers from a lack of a cohesive framework. Some paragraphs are incredibly interesting—I even took pictures of various sections to review later (my way of "highlighting" and taking notes in a library book that isn't mine). However, my focus wavered as I found myself skimming through dense, meandering sentences in hopes of returning to a more engaging passage.
As someone perennially fascinated by the human experience and the unseen forces that shape our behaviors and lives, I was initially very excited about the topic. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The essence of this book could probably have been distilled into a well-researched 15-minute YouTube video without sacrificing any crucial information. I'm giving it 2 stars.
This book receives an A+ for effort, but in terms of checking off the required elements on my personal criteria list, it garners no more than a C for execution. While the novel possesses all the elements that could make it a compelling read, it disappoints by falling short of being even remotely entertaining. The book was sorely lacking in tension; I've experienced more suspense reading a dental brochure on gum disease.
Let's dive into the elements that initially excited me: time travel, alternate universes, and thought-provoking themes about the risks of advancing technology and AI. The scientific explanations were passable but left much to be desired. They were comprehensible but felt awkward and forced in many instances. For example, crucial plot information was conveniently revealed in, (get this), a hidden memoir written within the comments of the software code. I’m no software engineer, but this seemed far-fetched. Who codes a program and then decides you know what lemme add in the back story of why I tried to commit suicide 20 years ago..? Like… that was convenient…Makes no sense to me.
The narrative eventually comes together in the end, but the journey is far from smooth. It felt as if the author had pulled disparate elements and themes out of a hat, inserting them into the story with the sole aim of Making a Statement™, without considering whether these components fit well or contributed meaningfully to the plot. It's a shame because the underlying ideas had so much potential; they were genuinely intriguing. The problem lies in the execution.
The book spans 500 pages but could have been condensed to a tight 350 without losing its essence. In this case, the "Librarian Recommended" section at my local library has let me down. I'm barely giving it 3 stars.
I've rounded my rating up to 3.5 to highlight the author's strong prose and skill in compelling storytelling. Claire Dederer is undoubtedly a gifted writer, crafting each sentence with meticulous care. However, the book fell slightly short of my high expectations, given that it tackles a subject matter I find deeply intriguing. Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma delves into the complex issue that we, as consumers of art and media, face daily: can we continue to enjoy songs, movies, and books created by artists who have committed personal atrocities?
This topic resonates with me. For instance, the song "Wall to Wall" by Chris Brown—a certified hit by a convicted abuser—could appear on my shuffle playlist at any moment. I adore this song and have included it in my playlists for over a decade. However, each time I listen to it, I experience a mix of regret, reluctance, and an overarching sense of guilt. Dederer describes this emotional conflict as the "stain." In an era where artists' personal histories are easily accessible, this information inevitably colors our perception of their work. So, what should we do with the art—art that is genuinely entertaining, good, and emotionally stirring—of people who are abusers?
Dederer doesn't offer any definitive conclusions. She acknowledges the intricate nature of the question and concedes that there may not be a clear-cut answer beyond "do what feels right for you." I agree that it's a quandary unlikely to be fully resolved. Dederer also touches upon how, in our capitalistic society, consciously choosing where to direct our consumption feels like our sole avenue for expressing our values. However, she points out that our individual choices, in the grand scheme, accomplish little.
So, where does that leave us? What about films created by directors who are, for example, child molesters? It's too simplistic to say, "Well, just don't watch them," because we live in a complex world. Although Dederer's points are much more nuanced and well-argued than my summary here, if this topic interests you, I recommend reading the book. I'm only deducting points because I would have preferred a more scientific or sociological perspective, rather than the largely anecdotal approach she takes. Overall, I found the book both insightful and intellectually stimulating.
After my semi reading slump this past month, I beg of you, send me some book recommendations in the comments below. They must be BANGERS ONLY.
I’ll be back soon with more recommendations and reviews. Until then, ciao :)
