Jake’s Reviews > The Idiot > Status Update
Jake
is on page 200 of 423
Theres an odd disjunction between the voice of Selin and the person Selin is, I think. Her voice is indifferent, like she's show-not-telling her life, which is by contrary warm. The way she talks to Ralph I found really touching, maybe because it reminds me of me. They talk funny but they find the time to see each other, they write letters overseas, they sit in the elevator, watching the world take them up or down.
— Jun 20, 2026 07:34AM
Like flag
Jake’s Previous Updates
Jake
is on page 100 of 423
Reading Batuman makes my life feel much more loveable. We've been told that story is conflict, but here is an example that story can sometimes just be the passing of time.
During my study abroad, I felt many times that study abroad is never a story you see work in a book, so there's no point in writing about it, but in those times I would think of The Idiot, and it would inspire me to write again.
— Jun 13, 2026 02:51PM
During my study abroad, I felt many times that study abroad is never a story you see work in a book, so there's no point in writing about it, but in those times I would think of The Idiot, and it would inspire me to write again.