Tom MacWright

tom@macwright.com

I read A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan on

Review

This novel seems like several novels, since it’s not only ‘one of those ones that weaves storylines together’ but it also is an amalgamation of styles.

Unfortunately the styles range from quite great to quite lame. I found the peak to be at halfway through, with the pseudo-interview, and then the ‘PowerPoint’ section was surprisingly well-executed. However, the ending is unbearably lame to an extreme - not only silly future-thinking but it falls flat stylistically.

That said, it’s a quick read and the variety makes it a good quick read - since the shifts in style can serve as anchors for the plots. Recommended for that purpose, but don’t come expecting too much depth or dexterity in this one.

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