Open City

by Teju Cole

I expected this to be more about New York somehow. From the blurp on the back I get that there was going to be a lot of philosophizing and memories of childhood. But the main protagonist takes lengthy walks in New York, so...

It is a very pleasant read, anyway.

A big part of the book is set in Brussels, where the encounters become very highbrow and conversations (with someone working at an internet cafe, where all the big brained, aware people obviously work) turn to the Israel/Palestine situation. This all feels a little to constructed and unnatural.

Then, towards the end there is a rape story that seems out of place with the rest of the book and I don't quite know what to do with. It also remains unanswered and without further comment.

6/10