The Idiot

“Favorite book ever!”

“Look, this is not for everyone. But when I read this for the first time, I felt the words harmonize with my inner monologue. How should a person act? Why do people do things? What does it mean? It’s a coming of age, it’s a romance with yourself, it hits home especially if you grew up in the era where the internet was a place full of possibilities instead of a slop and trough. Give it a shot.”

“the perfect bildungsroman esp if you are also a confused college girl in a massive thrifted coat”

“one of the few books i cannot recommend enough. it’s true that her writing style is specific, and i know people who claim not to enjoy it (a mystery to me), but it hugs me so tightly. desperately in search of writers with similar styles, if you know of any.”

“This book probably isn’t for everyone but it’s arch and it’s absurd and I laughed until the very last page.”

“A book about how language can sometimes be an ineffective means of communication. An incredible concept, brimming with subtle beauty”

“so clever and funny”

“This book is very funny.”

“One of my absolute favorites; I’m surprised I didn’t already have it on here. Captures the nauseous jittery electric feeling of being young and obsessively in love in a way that is really miraculous. And I think it is a pretty phenomenal example of writing about young people/ writing a young narrator in a very adult style. I’ve been a bit scared to reread the sequel, partially bc I’d have to reread this and I know it would be a different experience at 31.”

“So deeply funny, while also bringing you back to the bewildering experience of learning everything in real-time as an early adult. A lot to chew on about language, culture, and how we make meaning — plus a laugh on every page”

“A book that has stayed with me for years. Took me right back to those awkward years.”

“Best novel I’ve read in a while. Protagonist is a freshman at Harvard in the late 90s. Wonderful dialogue, real & dynamic characters, hilarious details. Semi-autobiographical & lots of fun with language & semiotics.”