Benjamin Zeinz

Mystery and Thriller... In a Post-#MeToo World

Revisado: 10-23-18

Read this book. Like, that is the most important thing I can tell you. Read it!!!!

That being said, I'm a sexual harassment prevention consultant, and this is the first book that truly and deeply examines how gender privilege impacts men, and does it in a completely masterful way.

First and foremost, this is *the* Tana French. The way she weaves tales is incomparable to other authors in the mystery/thriller genre. In fact, I have a tough time saying that, because I don't want to give the impression that Ms. French is a genre writer, though her mastery of the mysterious and frightening is amazing. She combines the unflinching elements of thriller with the warmth and intricacy of classic novels about family and love. Her work is as lovingly embellished as ancient tapestry and as deeply rooted as your grandmother's best stew.

All that being said, ignore what I've said about gender politics. I celebrate this particular Tana French novel for how it tackles those issues, but in all of her novels from In The Woods to Broken Harbor, there hasn't quite been a writer whose work I can smell and taste like hers. I hope you read all her works, and I especially hope you read this one.

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esto le resultó útil a 24 personas

Page-turner, exciting, fun... But that ending...

Revisado: 07-04-18

I loved this book, staying extra time in my car to hear the end of a chapter or just because it was so exciting and so fun. But without knowing that a 2nd book is coming, the ending leaves something to be desired. No spoilers, just that some major questions from the narrative aren't addressed in the wrap up. If there was a second book, I'd think it was brilliant, and I imagine the author left herself some openings to write a sequel, which I'd totally buy, but as a stand alone, it did leave something to be desired.

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Such an important book on an important topic

Revisado: 10-02-15

Would you listen to Asking for It again? Why?

I already have. It's one of those that when I got to the end I started over again.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

As a lifelong feminist I am no stranger to the concept of rape culture. However, this book brought sharply into focus the current incarnation of systemic rape culture - how our institutions around law enforcement, professional sports, education, and media support and propagate rape culture. I appreciate the author's stated focus on staying away from telling too many individual stories of rape (important though that may be) except for those that illustrate a point she is making. In our hyper-connected world, it is extremely important that we look critically at how our institutions help create and propagate rape culture. And I'm also so glad she ended with what should be giving us hope that now that we've started exposing rape culture we can find a way to limit it.

What does Erin Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Erin Bennett expertly handles the author's wit and humor. This can be some pretty horrifying concepts to hear about, and the levity provided by the author's wit is very helpful in getting through all of it without feeling overwhelmed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I suppose "all of them" is not a useful answer. I suppose the most devastating part of the book is the statistical discussion of law enforcement officers attitudes towards those that report rape.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who is a potential victim of rape (also know as "everyone") or knows someone who could be a potential victim of rape (everyone, again) should read this book.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

It wasn't boring... But...

Revisado: 10-02-15

What disappointed you about Housekeeping?

Really, mostly the narrator. I didn't think she was bad or wooden, but the tone reminded me of a kindly grandparent reading a story to a newborn, using the most soothing voice they can. But that seemed to trivialized the material. It seemed as unimportant as a child's storybook about pooping...

Would you ever listen to anything by Marilynne Robinson again?

Of course!

What didn’t you like about Becket Royce’s performance?

It's a beautiful voice... Just the pace and delivery didn't seem to match the richness of the prose.

What character would you cut from Housekeeping?

NONE!!!

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