Has anyone read this novel and if yes, did you enjoy it?

Question

It's a novel by an American author, and the title is: 'Special Topics In Calamity Physics'. I didn't like this novel at all, I would love to know what other people thought of it.

Ignore the book's title; it's a work of fiction, it has nothing to do with physics.

Answer 1

The author is Marisha Pessl and it's her first novel. According to the Publishers Weekly review--which called it "stunning"--"it's a campy, knowing take on the themes that made The Secret History and Prep such massive bestsellers, a wry sendup of most of the Western canon and, most importantly, a sincere and uniquely twisted look at love, coming of age and identity."
But the Washington Post decided, even though the narrator's "cross-referencing mania can be surprisingly enjoyable, because Pessl is a vivacious writer who's figured out how to be brainy without being pedantic," and "like her protagonist, she's eager to make good use of the many books she's read and the movies she's seen," nevertheless "hunkering down for 514 pages of frantic literary exhibitionism turns into a weary business for the reader, who after much patient effort deserves to feel something stronger than appreciation for a lot of clever name-dropping and a rush of metaphors." Given that there's a murder mystery, which PW liked, I do wonder what more the Post wanted? Maybe their reviewer doesn't *like* mysteries?
Finally, I believe Newsweek was essentially the mirror image (NOT = carbon copy) of the Post--I read their review some months ago: Despite the problems, really very good.
Well, there are 3 people's opinions, if you count book reviewers as people. My position is that I probably won't go hunting for it, but if I fell across it (or vice versa), I might start it and see what I think.

Answer 2

Sounds like a novel for someone with no fu#@$#& life

That likes to sit all day in the sun and read rather then go to a topless beach!

Answer 3

my sister read it, and said it was the most boring, depressing book of her life.

Answer 4

Not read that - it sounds boring and I am a scientist - I'm from the UK