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Jennifer Welsh's Reviews > The Anomaly
The Anomaly
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by
Jennifer Welsh's review
bookshelves: dark-odd-or-mind-bending, translations, contemporary
Jan 20, 2022
bookshelves: dark-odd-or-mind-bending, translations, contemporary
What a strange book. 3.5?
The Anomaly was recommended to me as getting buzz in the book world, but that’s all I knew going in. I read the first chapter and loved it – it’s from the perspective of a hit man, and the writing is clean. The second chapter is from the perspective of a female film editor, and I liked it less (no reflection on her occupation, nor her gender - I just wanted more of the hit man). I kept reading and meeting a new character in every chapter, and by page 80 I felt like I’d flitted through a party of introductions with no deep connections. I wanted to go home.
But I don’t, and now there’s something building. So I stay for the ride. And then the story turns into something clever and curious, and I’m wondering what I’d do in this situation. And then I’m enjoying the different reactions played out by those many characters I eventually meet again.
This was worth it, even fun, in the end.
The Anomaly was recommended to me as getting buzz in the book world, but that’s all I knew going in. I read the first chapter and loved it – it’s from the perspective of a hit man, and the writing is clean. The second chapter is from the perspective of a female film editor, and I liked it less (no reflection on her occupation, nor her gender - I just wanted more of the hit man). I kept reading and meeting a new character in every chapter, and by page 80 I felt like I’d flitted through a party of introductions with no deep connections. I wanted to go home.
But I don’t, and now there’s something building. So I stay for the ride. And then the story turns into something clever and curious, and I’m wondering what I’d do in this situation. And then I’m enjoying the different reactions played out by those many characters I eventually meet again.
This was worth it, even fun, in the end.
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Reading Progress
January 15, 2022
–
Started Reading
January 15, 2022
– Shelved
January 20, 2022
– Shelved as:
translations
January 20, 2022
– Shelved as:
dark-odd-or-mind-bending
January 20, 2022
–
Finished Reading
January 22, 2022
– Shelved as:
contemporary
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Jaidee
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Feb 25, 2022 06:18AM
Hmmm do I or don't I? Intrigued by your review. Ok will add for consideration !
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Jaidee wrote: "Hmmm do I or don't I? Intrigued by your review. Ok will add for consideration !"I'm with Jaidee! :D I'm definitely interested - but we are in agreement about the need to connect to our book characters :) Great review, Jennifer!
You are a very patient reader, Jennifer. I am intrigued by your review but I think I would go home well before I've met all of the party guests.
Hi Jaidee, I would say when you’re in the mood for a bit of altered reality and don’t need much emotion, go for it. It’s well-written, and a fun “what-if.”
Candi, this book is definitely not a deep-dive into people’s lives. It’s more an exploration of possible scenarios created by extreme circumstances. And I don’t think you would love it. But, this is a strong piece of literature with something a little bit new, and you might be glad you’d read it if you’re in that mood…
Ha, Anne, I especially am when I trust the recommender(s), yes. Otherwise, less & less these days. I wonder if knowing a bit about this book before reading it improves the experience? It’s such an interesting “what if” to explore!
Jennifer, I didn't know that there were trusted recommenders. That can make all the difference.
It definitely increases my commitment, Anne, although I sometimes still don’t get it. With this one I did. But it’s more interesting than emotionally moving.
Jennifer wrote: "It definitely increases my commitment, Anne, although I sometimes still don’t get it. With this one I did. But it’s more interesting than emotionally moving."Yeah. It's hard for me to read a book that doesn't engage me emotionally.
Jennifer, I really liked your cut-back-to-basics description of a book that seems to advertise its complexity as its strong point!
Violeta wrote: "Jennifer, I really liked your cut-back-to-basics description of a book that seems to advertise its complexity as its strong point!"Ahhh, Violeta, your comment made me laugh out loud! It's true, isn't it? I did not find this story to be complex. Interesting, but not complex. Complex would've meant a much deeper look into each character's reaction and situation. That would've been even more fun. Naomi Alderman explored an idea similarly in The Power, but followed each character a bit more fully, and started off with a faster pace. That was fun. On the other hand, the idea here, along with the writing, felt more sophisticated than Alderman's. I would've loved to have merged the two.
I'm not familiar with Alderman, Jennifer, but your remark about the fun-sophistication ratio is enlightening. Sophistication without fun, I find a bit smug :))
Violeta wrote: "I'm not familiar with Alderman, Jennifer, but your remark about the fun-sophistication ratio is enlightening. Sophistication without fun, I find a bit smug :))"
Smug as sophistication without fun - perfect, Violeta. I don't think you'd find this one smug, though. It doesn't have the weight for smug. And in the end, it is fun. Let me know if you ever decide to read it...
Everyone at the party is on the hit man's list including the narrator?
Your review, especially "clever and curious" and "fun" has me intrigued. I'll keep this one in mind.
Ha, Laura, no. Each chapter introduces a new, and very different character. Then it’s revealed that the same odd occurrence has happened to them all, including the hitman - he’s a victim of the same circumstance. The book explores several possible reactions to what happens.
Lisa, this is more of an intellectual exercise than a deep exploration, just so you know. And sometimes the writing felt too blunt: not often enough to ruin the experience, but enough to deflate it a bit.
Jennifer wrote: "Ha, Laura, no. Each chapter introduces a new, and very different character. Then it’s revealed that the same odd occurrence has happened to them all, including the hitman - he’s a victim of the sam...":0)
Ugh. I hate it when the introduction of a book lasts forever. I find it hard to become engrossed and, these days, give up on the book. I'm glad that you enjoyed it in the end.
It’s funny, Anne - I saw another gr review where the reader felt the same as I did, yet my husband, who’s almost done reading this, felt the opposite. He enjoyed getting to know the different characters, but thought their reactions to the reveal just didn’t go deep enough. 🤔
Can someone explain me the ending? I didn’t get it. Was it something apocalyptic?
Hi Unrealbutnice, I don’t blame you for the confusion, I think it was deliberately open to interpretation, but the words at the end felt like a falling away of our foundation of thought and communication. Whether that’s an end or clearing the way for a new beginning, I don’t know. WHY that would happen after what the Americans did made no sense to me.
