Booker International Longlist 2023 – A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding

Book 11– A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding by Amanda Svensson Translated by Nichola Smalley

Reviewed by Tracy

Synopsis from Booker Prize website: This joyful family saga about free will, forgiveness, and interconnection poses a question: are we free to create our own destinies or are we just part of a system beyond our control?

In October 1989, a set of triplets is born, and it is at this moment their father chooses to reveal his affair. Pandemonium ensues.
Over two decades later, Sebastian is recruited to join a mysterious organisation, where he meets Laura Kadinsky, a patient whose inability to see the world in three dimensions is not the only intriguing thing about her. Meanwhile, Clara has travelled to Easter Island to join a doomsday cult, and the third triplet, Matilda, is in Sweden, trying to escape from the colour blue.

Then, something happens that forces the triplets to reunite. Their mother calls with worrying news: their father has gone missing and she has something to tell them, a 25-year secret that will change all their lives

Tracy’s Thoughts: This year’s longlist has been hits and misses, but welcome to my WTF book.

When I was in my 20s, I think I would have liked this book.

But I’m older, and have little time for pseudophilosophy, and less for characters who don’t have a lot of character.

This was a light, easy read. It just wasn’t for me.

Quality of writing: ⅖
Originality: ⅖
Character development: 1.5/4
Plot development: 2/4
Overall enjoyment: 0.5/2
Total: 9/20

Have you read this one? Let us know your thoughts.

Rankings
Is Mother Dead 19
Standing Heavy 18
Pyre 17.5
Time Shelter 17.5
Still Born 17.25
Ninth Building 16
Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv 16
Whale 15.5
Boulder 13.5
The Birthday Party 12.75
The Gospel According to the New World 11.5
A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding 9