Definitely a thought-provoking read, particularly in the context of other conversations I'm having right now around mutual aid... Connection being the way to break free is on point. I don't know if it would've felt different if I didn't know the themes of the book going in, but the parallels to real-life oppression and the ivory tower felt very obvious. But I appreciate the nuance of a couple of the adult characters, who are well-intentioned but imperfect. It's good to read a book critical of academia that has a little more of the nuance I was missing in Babel, though I could've used more still... I just read another storygraph review that said it reads like a parable and the reviewer was yearning for something a little more grounded. I don't know if I would've thought of that phrasing, but I think it's how I feel as well. Nonetheless, I have a feeling it will keep floating around my brain for a while.