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Review: The Lesser Bohemians: A Novel by Eimear McBride



Review: The Lesser Bohemians: A Novel
Eimear McBride
Hogarth
2016

I had no preconceived notions what expect from this book.  Its other reviews were anywhere from brilliant to not so much so.  The prose style, at least initially, accomplished what I think its purpose was---to show the reader the impressions of a person encountering a new experience.  Short, chaotic type snippets from all directions that begin to take shape as she acclimates to her new surroundings.  Had me thinking of a Beckett novel at times, but less serious.  As the book moves forward the prose becomes more like what the reader is accustomed to except where the experiences are new, overwhelming or in some other way acts to unbalance the status quo.  

The Lesser BohemiansThe book descriptions given in the other reviews and elsewhere sum up the story line.  Young girl in a new town, older guy helping find her way.  Yep, that’s it.  Both of their stories seemed too labored, in my opinion.  Hers, the innocent small town girl becomes urbanized.  His, a bit of twist on a traumatic home environment during his teen years.  Most of their learning situations seemed to require detailed descriptions of the sex going on between them in whatever scene I read.  The romance story arc stays intact for this book in a contemporary sort of way.   A lesser bohemian sort of way.

Overall, the book made a weak three-star rating for me.  

I received this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for a review.

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