Read the fifth of the Booker short listed nominees of 2025, namely, Susan Choi's Flashlight.
There are some authors, where upon reading them the first time, one looks forward to exploring their other works. It has happened a couple of times - Donna Tartt, Kazuo Ishiguro, Julian Barnes, comes to mind. Susan Choi now joins that list as at least Trust Exercise. Plus, out of the five Booker nominees that I read, this one clearly had the best plot (while 'Flesh' and 'The Rest of Our Days' rate highly for other aspects - more on that on another essay ).
On Flashlight;
While the main plot of the novel involves the inhuman behaviour of a rogue state, in destroying the innocent lives, not only of their own citizenry, but those that of neighbouring too. Choi excels in revealing only when she absolutely have to, this rogue nation's utter disregard for human rights, as apt to the key characters of this novel. Further credit is due to Choi, for the characters she has chosen and how they she grooms them - especially Anne and Louisa. I should say, Serk too - but we don't see much into Serk's way of thinking, other than his single mindedness, his brilliance, and his short comings and idiosyncrasies in the limited exposure we get of that character. What I suggest is that any further exposure to that character could've been too much to that character, and in turn the respect, and maybe a hint of reverence that the reader feels towards the end of the book. The character development's depth can be illustrated with the following for example:
"Both had gone off the tracks before finishing high school, both- despite intelligence that, if disregarded by those nearest them, had later caught a more discerning eye- had hovered uncertainly in the vicinity of, but never managed to keep themselves enrolled at, a college."
Building the characters of a mother and daughter - who had differences throughout their lives, and then point out similarities in this fashion, as well as how Louisa is a better parent than her mother, more like her father goes out to show the nuanced consideration that has gone into this excellent work.
Another aspect that Choi points out quite well is how in the interest of avoiding geopolitical unrest, nations will turn a blind eye to single, or relatively few cases, of their citizens being victimised. It clearly suggest the necessity of organizations for upholding of human rights, irrespective of international politics, politicising those very organizations.
To wind up, this is an excellent book, well worthy of the international recognition the book received. I have already made a note to read at least one more book by the author, which the literati has praised.
Rating: ****1/2
