35 pages 1 hour read

Elif Batuman

The Idiot

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Idiot by Elif Batuman follows Selin, a Turkish-American freshman at Harvard in 1995, as she navigates first love and the complexities of human connection amidst the advent of the internet. She develops an intense, platonic relationship with Ivan, a senior from Hungary, and spends a summer teaching in Hungary to be near him. The story also explores Selin's academic journey and evolving understanding of language and reality.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Idiot by Elif Batuman has been well-received for its dry humor, intellectual depth, and relatable portrayal of a young woman's journey through academia and self-discovery. However, the narrative's leisurely pace and lack of a conventional plot have divided readers. Some find the protagonist's introspection endearing, while others view it as meandering. Overall, the novel is a thoughtful yet polarizing read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Idiot?

Readers who enjoyed the introspective tone and intellectual curiosity in The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer or the coming-of-age narrative in Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami will find much to appreciate in Elif Batuman's The Idiot. This novel appeals to those who relish literary fiction rich in humor, self-discovery, and academic settings.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Auto/Biographical Fiction

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Values/Ideas: Literature

Values/Ideas: Beauty

Topics

Immigration / Refugee