I Have Some Questions for You

2023 novel by Rebecca Makkai
9780593490143
Hardcover First EditionOCLC1335121742LC ClassPS3613.A36 I33 2023 lccn.loc.gov/2022032713

I Have Some Questions for You is a literary mystery novel by Rebecca Makkai. The novel received positive critical reception upon release, and spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Plot

Bodie Kane, a film professor and podcaster, is forced to confront a series of violent events in her past when she is invited to teach a class at the New Hampshire boarding school she graduated from.

Publication history

I Have Some Questions for You was published on February 21, 2023 by Viking Press.[1]

Reception

Reviews

I Have Some Questions for You drew praise from critics upon its release.[1]

The Associated Press praised the novel's plot but criticized the characters and their development.[2] The Star Tribune and The Wall Street Journal both published positive reviews, with the former praising the novel's "nuance" and the latter positively describing the "expressive imagery" of Makkai's writing.[3][4] Ron Charles, writing in The Washington Post, characterized the novel as standing apart from other "prep-school novels" by situating much of the novel's drama within the world outside the school.[5] Positive reviews were also published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic, and NPR.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

Publishers Weekly praised the book, drawing a positive comparison to Makkai's previous novel, The Great Believers, writing that "this is sure to be a hit."[12] Kirkus Reviews, while positive overall, negatively compared the book to The Great Believers, noting that "this book does not have the profound impact of its predecessor."[13] Booklist and Bookpage both published starred reviews, praising the novel's prose, Bodie's characterization, and what they felt was a subtle message about racism and misogyny.[14][15]

Awards and honours

I Have Some Questions for You was longlisted for the 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "I Have Some Questions for You". BookMarks. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  2. ^ Levin, Ann (2023-02-21). "Review: A boarding school whodunit fueled by feminist rage". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  3. ^ Akins, Ellen (2023-02-17). "Review: 'I Have Some Questions for You,' by Rebecca Makkai". The Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  4. ^ Nolan, Tom (2023-02-17). "Mysteries: Rebecca Makkai's 'I Have Some Questions for You'". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  5. ^ Charles, Ron (2023-02-24). "'I Have Some Questions for You' is more than a murder mystery". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  6. ^ Cain, Hamilton (2023-02-20). "A Podcaster Goes Back to School, Ready to Listen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  7. ^ Waldman, Katy (2023-02-20). "A Novel That Confronts Our True-Crime Obsession". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  8. ^ Gilman, Priscilla (2023-02-16). "Rebecca Makkai's 'I Have Some Questions for You' spotlights the power of storytelling in an age of true crime and #MeToo". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  9. ^ Hayes, Stephanie (2023-03-11). "A Novel That Probes the Line Between Justice and Revenge". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  10. ^ Iglesias, Gabino (2023-02-27). "'I Have Some Questions For You' is a dark, uncomfortable story that feels universal". NPR. Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  11. ^ Corrigan, Maureen (2023-03-01). "Rebecca Makkai's smart, prep school murder novel is self-aware about the 'ick' factor". NPR. Archived from the original on 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  12. ^ "I Have Some Questions for You". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  13. ^ "I Have Some Questions for You". Kirkus Reviews. 2022-11-16. Archived from the original on 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  14. ^ Bostrom, Annie (2022-12-01). "I Have Some Questions for You". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  15. ^ Bufferd, Lauren (20 February 2023). "I Have Some Questions for You". BookPage. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  16. ^ Anderson, Porter (2023-11-08). "The Aspen Words Literary Prize Names Its 2024 Longlist". Publishing Perspectives. Archived from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-04-28.

External links