Review of THE COMMITTED
A sequel in too many respects ...
It has taken me almost as long to write a review of this popular book as it did to read it. The book is not long and this review will be short. The reason for both delays is once again finding myself at odds with the overwhelming majority of critics out there about a recent piece of fiction. This is becoming such a familiar place that the only explanation is that the world has “moved on”. Therefore, knowing that I am increasingly a literary dinosaur, please take the following with a grain of salt.
The writer is deeply talented. I cannot imagine a more interesting dinner party guest or writer’s conference attendee. The combination of multicultural, political and philosophical artistry and adeptness combines with a kinetic writing style to create serious energy. His voice is a manic scream of urgency, anger and insight. There lies the problem. I wanted more plot, more structure – relief from his existential (and self-indulgent) primal scream. I stopped this book several times out of boredom – the kind of boredom one feels after a whole day riding rollercoasters with your kids at Magic Mountain.
The book’s prequel was too long (and it really was). It, however, was the FIRST book and was original and had a lot to say though, like this one, it kept saying it over and over and over again. I dare this writer to NOT write another of these hip hop rants and settle into something that is less an ejaculation of talent and more the harnessing of it.
The Committed
By Viet Thanh Nguyen (2021)
400 pages (hardback)