Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Review of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler


We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: May 30, 2013
Length: 310 pages
Source: My own copy

Plot Synopsis from The Man Booker Prize 2014 Website: As a child, Rosemary used to talk all the time. So much so that her parents used to tell her to start in the middle if she wanted to tell a story. Now Rosemary has just started college and she barely talks at all. And she definitely doesn’t talk about her family. So we're not going to tell you too much either: you'll have to find out for yourself what it is that makes her unhappy family unlike any other. Rosemary is now an only child, but she used to have a sister the same age as her, and an older brother. Both are now gone - vanished from her life. But there's something unique about Rosemary's sister, Fern. So now she's telling her story; a looping narrative that begins towards the end, and then goes back to the beginning. Twice.

My Thoughts: Oh, I loved this novel, and I’m having a very difficult time expressing why. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is a work of literary fiction that is both intelligent and highly readable. Fowler tackles some very big, thought-provoking topics—What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to take responsibility for our loved ones? How can we atone for our inevitable failures? Big topics, indeed, and those are just a few. There is also much to think about in this novel about memory, family, and the ethics of scientific research. And yet, with all of that, Fowler keeps the plot moving quickly, with plenty of action (even some almost mad-cap comedy), and manages to keep the tone lively and even jaunty at times. The result is a witty and engaging novel that entertains as well as makes you think.

This is a book that I couldn’t put down, and it hasn’t left my thoughts since I finished it a few weeks ago. It is a terrific achievement for Fowler, and I’m glad the novel received a spot on the Man Booker Prize shortlist (first time for an American woman, folks, so that alone will, I hope, encourage more fiction readers to give this book a try).

I think one reason I have hesitated about writing a full review is that too many reviews have spoiled the surprise—and, in fact, even the back of my paperback copy spoils it! I can’t understand why the publisher, and then many reviewers, didn’t allow Fowler to reveal key plot elements in her own way. This is why, after worrying about whether I could write about this book without spoilers, I decided to use the short synopsis from the Man Booker Prize website. I’d recommend that anyone interested simply read the book, without looking at any further reviews or descriptions beforehand. I will say, though, that I knew the “surprise” before starting the novel, and I still loved it. Nevertheless, I would have loved to experience the reveal (or really, series of reveals) as Fowler no doubt intended.

My rating for We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is 5 of 5 stars.

12 comments:

  1. I supposed I've read too many reviews because I already know the surprise, too. It sounds strange and gave me second thoughts about reading the book, so I'm glad to hear "knowing" didn't interfere with your enjoyment.

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    1. Yes, I do know what you mean about it seeming strange, JoAnn! Honestly, I started it with some real trepidation. But I thought it was so cool that an American woman was nominated for the Man Booker Prize for the first time, that I decided to give it a try. And wow, for some reason it just clicked on every level for me. Rosemary is a fantastic character. And aside from the big surprise thing, there was so much great stuff here to chew on about family relationships and the role memory plays in our lives.

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  2. Nice job not spoiling the twist :D I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I thought I would. It was smart and timely and it struck a nerve.

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    1. Struck a nerve--yeah, that's a good way to put it! It struck some nerves, for sure. I think I'd like to read some more Karen Joy Fowler now. All her novels seem quite different from one another.

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  3. I found out the surprise easily from reading a blurb somewhere and didn't know that that should've been kept a secret. I thought they were putting it out there to entice someone to read it. Ugh, I'm bummed that that was to be revealed in time and affected the plot so strongly. Not sure if I'll read this but if I see it in the library I'll pick it up and give it a try, so thanks for being honest.

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    1. Well, I still loved it despite knowing the twist, because there are plenty of other surprises along the way. I just hate reviews--and even publishers' information--that give away too much of the story! I am the same way with movie previews . . . half the time after a preview, I feel like I just saw the darn movie!

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    2. I was glad that the person who gave me the book covered up the blurb on the back by taping an index card on it. However, even if I had known the one surprise that has apparently been publicized,I can't imagine that would have changed how I felt about this novel. It is an extraordinary story, and so beautifully written. And there are so many twists and turns in the plot that surprised me!

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    3. Yeah, I agree--it's still an amazing story, and there are still plenty of plot twists, even if you know before you start the book what makes the Cooke family different. But what I worry about is that if people know about the first twist, it might give them preconceived notions about the book . . . they might feel it's too strange for them, or covers an area they are uncomfortable with. And that's a shame, because I honestly think most readers of literary fiction would absolutely love this book!

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  4. Great review - I hate it when blurbs and/or reviews say too much about the plot! I feel like some reviews said too much about We Are Not Ourselves...part of what I loved about that book was the suspense of why Ed was changing and many reviews came right out and said it. Despite the fact that I haven't had good luck in the past with Booker Prize winners, you've made me want to read this one.

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    1. Oh, I thought the same thing about We Are Not Ourselves! Why not let readers discover it themselves? That was frustrating--it robs readers of an essential part of the story.

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  5. I have never been so deeply moved by a book as I was by We Are Not Ourselves The questions that are raised about relationships among sisters, brothers, parents, friends and animals are brilliant. The book had me laughing out loud and crying. I think this novel is a classic.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it! I do think I'd like to read some of her previous books now--although I think they cover completely different topics.

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