The first thing I got was Elif Batuman’s fool A rainy day in Paris. Her sister had just finished reading her novel on her family trip to Europe and she used the entire 400 pages of it and said I needed to do the same.
When I asked her about the plot, she replied, “It’s hard to explain.” After reading the book, I agree.
The novel is named after the classic Russian novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. foolThis is the story of when Celine, the daughter of an American Turkish immigrant, enters Harvard University. It’s her 1995, email is all new, and Seryn is trying to adjust to her college life. She navigates mundane emotions, wrestles with complex love stories, and travels through both France and Hungary.
fool It’s messy in nature, so it’s hard to explain. I didn’t fully realize how well-written and unique it was until I finished reading it.
What makes this book so refreshing is that Seryn isn’t the hero. She’s chaotic, unsettling, and often annoying, and while the unhinged protagonist trope might bother some, her slight madness piqued her interest and, frankly, comforted her. became.
The way Selin’s mind works is incredibly special, and this was clear to me as I could read her inner monologues. He stands out from any other protagonists he meets. Seeing that she was experiencing the same self-doubts that I was, made me feel heard. Batuman made the message clear that anxiety is normal and valid no matter who you are or what you have achieved.
She somehow manages to verbalize everything I have ever thought but never said. In one instance, Serin can pinpoint our inner desire to be the protagonist in our own lives. Dumbo or Pinocchio, oppressed and suspected. We all want to believe we are good people, regardless of reality. Through her reading experience, I find myself bookmarking pages and writing down her quotes in moments like this, which is why I think Seryn is a character that resonates so deeply with people. . She, like many of us, is insecure about herself.
Batuman also writes about love in a way that feels completely authentic. life is not a movie. It’s not always navigable or kind. To me, this depiction of life is better than the manufactured one. I felt my heart tingle with her when I read about her ups and downs for Seryn with her love.
It’s rare to find a book that gives insight into real feelings, fool It did so brilliantly.
Whether laughing or sobbing, I found myself getting emotional to be heard. To me, this is the mark of a great writer.
If you’re looking for fairy tales, don’t read foolBut if you want to feel seen and supported and have a little laugh, I highly recommend doing so.
