Vintage The Idiot

Arrived on time and book was in good condition. I loved it I’m definitely gonna get either or.

Lots of the other reviews of this book are missing something; specifically, the reviews that say it's boring, it's tedious, nothing happens, etc. They are all missing something really important about this book.It's really, really funny.In fairness, if you don't share the author's sense of humour, then I imagine this book *is* really boring. If you don't link thicket upon thicket of densely layered wry observations about people and everyday life, then this book won't do much for you. Batuman, and her protagonist Selin, have a rich sense of irony. There were countless times when I laughed out loud. The book is also steeped in literary allusions and cultural references, though I don't think to the extent that makes it inaccessible; there are no DFW-style footnotes.

I wanted to give this book five stars. The female heroine, the references to being a university student in the 1990s, the interest in language, the unrequited crush… they all resonated strongly with me. The first part of the book is really good, but I felt the second part could have been shorter. The heroine’s micro-experiences in the Hungarian village seemed to go on and on, with so much detail… I felt relief when I finally got through them and finished the book. That quibble aside, “The Idiot” is highly enjoyable reading for those with a little spare time on their hands.

Funny, poignant and brilliantly written, you don't have to be 20 to remember how confusing life was back then.

This was bought as a present. The recipient was delighted.

Humourous with great characters.A little longer than it needed to be.