mkmcelroy's reviews
338 reviews

Jhumpa Lahiri does a great job of sketching characters with a restrained hand. With Gogol she employs this approach to encapsulate his own struggles with identity. Her words and intentional silences combine to craft a richer exploration of self.  In the book, she strikes a balance between generations that is both compassionate and honest, bringing a realistic sense of family tinged with tragedy.

Robin Hobb is simply great at what she does. In Assassin's Apprentice, she takes a classic coming of age tale (nothing new in the fantasy genre) and turns it into a story that's a step above. Her mastery of characterization shines in the subtleties of a first person narrative, tied to a young boy who doesn't quite know what he thinks yet. We get to watch Fitz grow and parse out his place in the world, while exploring themes of family and loyalty which Hobb weaves in with a delicate touch. 

I'd recommend this book as a great entry point into Hobb's Realm of the Elderings for anyone interested in character-focused fantasy. 

Read a different edition of the book

A fascinating contemporary (ish) to 1984 and a thought provoking study on how societal norms and discussions draw bounds on our own imaginations and introspections.