The Idiot by Elif Batuman is a wonderfully offbeat and darkly comic coming-of-age novel. It follows Selin, a Turkish-American student starting her first year at Harvard in the 1990s. As she navigates the awkwardness of college life, Batuman takes us inside her mind, where humor and confusion blend together seamlessly.
The novel’s charm lies in its dry, intellectual humor and the quirky lens through which Selin views the world. Her experiences with language, relationships, and self-discovery are sometimes painfully awkward, yet often hilariously relatable. The way Selin’s thoughts and observations unfold feels both deeply personal and universal, giving readers a window into the struggles of growing up and figuring out who you really are.
The Idiot is a clever, witty exploration of identity, love, and intellectual life, all wrapped up in a narrative that feels more like a series of fascinating vignettes than a traditional story. If you like dark humor and enjoy a slower, more introspective pace, this one’s a must-read. Elif Batuman has crafted a sharp and unforgettable novel that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
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Mel
2025-03-21The Idiot by Elif Batuman is a wonderfully offbeat and darkly comic coming-of-age novel. It follows Selin, a Turkish-American student starting her first year at Harvard in the 1990s. As she navigates the awkwardness of college life, Batuman takes us inside her mind, where humor and confusion blend together seamlessly.
The novel’s charm lies in its dry, intellectual humor and the quirky lens through which Selin views the world. Her experiences with language, relationships, and self-discovery are sometimes painfully awkward, yet often hilariously relatable. The way Selin’s thoughts and observations unfold feels both deeply personal and universal, giving readers a window into the struggles of growing up and figuring out who you really are.
The Idiot is a clever, witty exploration of identity, love, and intellectual life, all wrapped up in a narrative that feels more like a series of fascinating vignettes than a traditional story. If you like dark humor and enjoy a slower, more introspective pace, this one’s a must-read. Elif Batuman has crafted a sharp and unforgettable novel that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.