The Borrower

I stumbled upon Rebecca Makkai's novel The Borrower when I learned she was teaching a writing class that I was interested in applying for. (I have since applied, gotten accepted, registered, and am anxiously awaiting the first class.) I picked up the book with mild curiosity, but was soon captivated by the charming Ian, a ten year old boy from a small Midwestern town. The story is Lucy's, a children's librarian who feels compelled to save Ian from his overbearing mother who sends him to a religious based program to guide him towards heterosexuality. She both kidnaps him and is kidnapped by him and the two head out on an adventure.

I adored this novel, the themes of identity, revolution, and the enduring power of literature. I loved the book's humor and big heart, even if Lucy wasn't the most likable character ever. It's a readable story, but still literary... my favorite kind of novel. I pushed Alan to read it after and he pointed out the novel's flaws to me, which in my enthusiasm for the story I had ignored. Yet flaws, at times, can make a book more endearing. I love the humanity breathed into this book. It makes me even more excited to take the class from Makkai, a very gifted writer. I'm already looking forward to the release of her second novel next summer.