If you’ve read past the subject line, you’re probably not an Eggers-hater, so I’ll pretend those people don’t exist. I like him fine, though I think his impact is felt more in the spheres of publishing and volunteer-based tutoring centers than in lit. He’s a talented writer, popping off great sentences over and over and creating crazy Jenga story structures that always, always work – but his stuff never really soars.
But why should it? In Velocity, his characters are wandering and uncertain, not heroic, the sort of people who take seriousness seriously. They’re rarely boring, and following along as they do whatever it takes to avoid reflection is entertaining enough to make the book worthwhile. Eggers has some interesting things to say about America’s and Americans’ place in the world, but can’t resist building out into the shock of grief and (of course, of course) the muddy search for purpose all new grown-ups force upon themselves.
It all comes together well, though I think I’m not smart enough to understand why he chose symbols so red-flagged and obvious that they’re almost insulting. I reckon that’s what the kids want these days, and maybe it’s a step away from lit that requires a Ph.D. to understand. I’m looking forward to soaking up more.
You said it, sister