Egan's Goon Squad

The Pulitzer Prize winning A Visit From the Goon Squad was a total disappointment. Sure there are some great insights and turns of phrase, but overall the writing feels too contrived; it kept pulling me out of the story. And don't even get me started about the last two chapters!

The novel weaves together the stories of several characters over time. The plot is loose and often unbelievable (one character works as a publicist for a foreign despot). I suppose there is something to be said about some of the characters--interesting, compelling. Still, it feels lacking and sometimes forced. The last two chapters are pure science fiction--very gimmicky. One chapter is a power point supposedly created by a middle school student. Having worked as a middle school teacher, I can tell you there isn't a middle school student on the planet who could construct such a thing. I never really appreciate anything that is supposed to be from a child's point of view anyway. Hated Room! Egan takes it to a whole 'nother level, though. I'm sure there are those who think that the presentation of time and characters is some magical concoction, but I think that it is pure nonsense presented very cleverly.

This is probably one of the only negative reviews, if not the only one, on this novel. Next I'll review Room--yet another disappointment. If you want to read something good, read Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin.