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A review by duncanshaw
Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Case Study for a couple of reasons. Firstly I genuinely found the plot mysterious and engaging, and secondly, the use of different styles was done very well.
The author has split the book in half, with alternating chapters of "biography" of one of the characters: the mysterious Dr. Braithwaite, written in more formal and non-fiction style prose, while the other chapters are written as notebooks set in the past by the other main character: a woman trying to investigate Braithwaite at the time. This provides different perspectives on the plot, the characters, and the world created. It allowed the character of Braithwaite to be developed intensely and to form the character well. The alternative perspective gave a very different vibe, which was integrated well. As I said, it gave a very different perspective - that of a woman in the 60s, and the social implications and dynamics that come with that.
Now, one does need to be careful when depicting life from the viewpoint of a marginalized group at a c]certain time. I'm not a social historian, so I'm not sure how well/accurate that was done, but it was an interesting attempt, if not a bit clichéd at times (especially with "Rebecca"). I think that could have been done slightly more subtly.
As both writing formats were sort of fictionalized non-fiction (memoir and biography), the author did a good job of creating an alternative history, integrating it slickly into actual history. This was entertaining but sometimes felt a bit forced. It almost felt like the author was trying too hard to integrate it, and it sometimes felt a bit unnecessary, although I only felt this briefly at times.
In terms of the plot, I found it gripping and found myself frequently wanting to know what was to happen next. I enjoyed the psychology angle and the trope of the charismatic cult-like figure was done well, following his rise and eventual fall. It felt realistic, despite attempting the scientific angle. Finally, I felt some threads that should have been dealt with were left untied slightly. Despite this, though, I found the main plotline, in which I was primarily invested, finished with good amounts of ambiguity, but ample closure.
The author has split the book in half, with alternating chapters of "biography" of one of the characters: the mysterious Dr. Braithwaite, written in more formal and non-fiction style prose, while the other chapters are written as notebooks set in the past by the other main character: a woman trying to investigate Braithwaite at the time. This provides different perspectives on the plot, the characters, and the world created. It allowed the character of Braithwaite to be developed intensely and to form the character well. The alternative perspective gave a very different vibe, which was integrated well. As I said, it gave a very different perspective - that of a woman in the 60s, and the social implications and dynamics that come with that.
Now, one does need to be careful when depicting life from the viewpoint of a marginalized group at a c]certain time. I'm not a social historian, so I'm not sure how well/accurate that was done, but it was an interesting attempt, if not a bit clichéd at times (especially with "Rebecca"). I think that could have been done slightly more subtly.
As both writing formats were sort of fictionalized non-fiction (memoir and biography), the author did a good job of creating an alternative history, integrating it slickly into actual history. This was entertaining but sometimes felt a bit forced. It almost felt like the author was trying too hard to integrate it, and it sometimes felt a bit unnecessary, although I only felt this briefly at times.
In terms of the plot, I found it gripping and found myself frequently wanting to know what was to happen next. I enjoyed the psychology angle and the trope of the charismatic cult-like figure was done well, following his rise and eventual fall. It felt realistic, despite attempting the scientific angle. Finally, I felt some threads that should have been dealt with were left untied slightly. Despite this, though, I found the main plotline, in which I was primarily invested, finished with good amounts of ambiguity, but ample closure.