The New Republic
A Novel
-
-
3.8 • 27 Ratings
-
-
- $10.99
Publisher Description
Acclaimed author Lionel Shriver—author of the National Book Award finalist So Much for That, The Post-Birthday World, and the vivid psychological novel We Need to Talk About Kevin, now a major motion picture—probes the mystery of charisma in a razor-sharp new novel that teases out the intimate relationship between terrorism and cults of personality, explores what makes certain people so magnetic, and reveals the deep frustrations of feeling overshadowed by a life-of-the-party who may not even be present.
“Shriver is a master of the misanthrope. . . . [A] viciously smart writer.” —Time
Customer Reviews
Witty and Entertaining
Very well read story about a man's struggle to overcome his past and become a force in his social circles. Ed Kellogg, the protagonist, is deftly portrayed by the reader as a torn man, understanding the nature of right and wrong but pulled into immoral behavior to have a laugh at the world and to try to win status and the the heart of an unattainable woman. Narrative and dialog both very good, with some very witty and insightful moments. I give it four stars instead of five because the story begins to flag a bit at about the 75% mark, before regaining momentum for the finish. Still a good story, and the ending works.