I’ll be interested to read your review if/when you read it. I was astonished at the number of awards too. I think Homegoing was a better novel in many ways and deserved to win all those awards. Unfortunately, it seems like debut authors rarely win the big ones. Sometimes it feels more like a popularity contest than anything.

Hi Susie: I’m glad Exit West worked for you; I did like its premise and themes. The magical doors didn’t bother me in this novel; their role was kept fairly minor.

You know I picked it up but then put the Colson book down so I haven’t read it yet. I think I do plan to read it this year. I’m wondering if like you I’ll be in the minority who doesn’t end up loving it, but we will see. I do find distance can be a problem for me. I can’t believe how many awards the book won. I will get to it eventually.

I’m curious–did you read The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead? That was another book that used unintrusive but still noticeable elements of magical realism that everyone I know seemed to love. It also evoked the same feeling of distance for me and yet, I seem to be one of a small minority that felt that way.

Hi Kate, Glad to know you felt the same about Exit West. After seeing all the raving reviews of it on Goodreads, I wasn’t sure if it was me or the book. But there did seem to be too much distance for me. And I agree with you on the doors too.

Hi Michelle, wow I didn’t realize Wisconsin was getting a lot of rain lately. I hope you see the sun soon! thanks for stopping by.