The Borrower in Around the Year in 52 Books

Dec 29, 2021 Book Concierge rated it did not like it

Shelves: audio, books-about-books, religion, travel, library, social-commentary, concierge, missouri

Audiobook performed by Emily Bauer

I remember seeing the author when she was on the book tour for this debut novel. I was intrigued by the premise: a young librarian working in the children’s section befriends a 10-year-old boy who seems to have some family issues, and then finds him “sleeping” in the library when he’s run away from home. I knew that the two of them take a bit of a road trip, so I wasn’t surprised by that.

However, I WAS surprised by all the other stuff Makkai threw in here: consp Audiobook performed by Emily Bauer

I remember seeing the author when she was on the book tour for this debut novel. I was intrigued by the premise: a young librarian working in the children’s section befriends a 10-year-old boy who seems to have some family issues, and then finds him “sleeping” in the library when he’s run away from home. I knew that the two of them take a bit of a road trip, so I wasn’t surprised by that.

However, I WAS surprised by all the other stuff Makkai threw in here: conspiracy theories, Russian mafia (?), a theatre troupe as roommates, and a possible love interest (?). I never anticipated that the librarian would be such a complete ditz. Lucy Hull doesn’t have the common sense God gave a goose.

I also never got much of a sense of the boy’s parents. Yes, I realize that what little we know is from Ian’s perspective and the little that Lucy has observed in her work as the children’s librarian, but it seemed that they completely dropped out of the story line as soon as the road trip began. Ian, precocious though he may be, was frequently a typical ten-year-old bratty kid, given to whining if things didn’t go his way. I hated the interludes where Makkai would give lists such as “How a ten-year-old boy brushes his teeth.”

I also had problems with the logistics of what Makkai reported. Lucy leaves town with $200 and she stubbornly tries to refuse any money from her parents. If the exact date is mentioned, I missed it, but they have cell phones and computers, although she’s still checking books out using printed cards and date stamps. In any case, $200 won’t go far, even staying at Motel 8, with two rooms each night, and fast food, and gasoline. And then, at the end, (view spoiler)

I’m going to stop writing because if I continue, I’ll probably drop the rating down to zero.

Emily Bauer is the narrator of the audiobook. She isn’t credited on the jacket cover, nor on any on-line record I could find, but her name is given at the outset. She does a great job of voicing Ian, making him a believable 10-year-old. But the voice she uses for Lucy? Well, she makes HER sound like she’s younger than Ian!
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Jun 25, 2011 Bea rated it liked it · review of another edition

I liked the premise of this book - a librarian rescuing a troubled child; but, either my idea of the premise was not the same as the author's or the author changed her idea while writing. At times, this book was entertaining and smart. At times, dull with the angst of the librarian repeated over and over again.

Ms. Makkai created interesting supporting characters - the father, his friends, the musician who wanted to be boyfriend, the man who shadowed her. It was just the librarian's character tha ...more

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May 03, 2014 Marie (UK) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-reading-challenge

An easy well paced read. Particularly liked the way the librarian describes her actions in the way of books - so she uses the Where is Spot formula and the HOuse that Jack Built template in different sections. It is a cleverly put together read

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Oct 20, 2020 Kaye rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1kindle, 0fiction, authorfrom-usa

A good, fun feel-good book, if a bit unlikely. Clever, anxious, underachieving Lucy was a bit of a disappointment in the end. Engaging child. Enjoyed the writing. Some good laughs.

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Jun 07, 2011 Nancy marked it as to-read

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Jul 24, 2011 Jennifer Gibbons rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-in-2011, best-of-2011

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Aug 01, 2011 Jd rated it really liked it

Shelves: print, fiction

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Sep 01, 2011 Marleah (marleah_a) rated it really liked it

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Jan 16, 2019 Jen rated it really liked it

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Sep 03, 2019 Meghan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: traveling, fiction, education-school, lgbtqqia2, spirituality-and-religion, us-illinois-chicago, children-as-protagonists, parenting, women, trauma

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