Still it does not dismiss just how inventive the novel can be. While Pharmakon is by no means a perfect book, it may in fact be a very important book. In addition to the brilliant use of narrative ambiguities, it touches upon the contradictions of psychological study and analysis, the relationship between genius and insanity, and the role our childhood experiences, or even events that occurred before birth, never truly leave us. Ultimately, the problems of Wittenborn’s superficial devices are just that: superficial. There are a lot of vital, compelling elements at play in Pharmakon, and I suspect those will last longer than the immediate complaints.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Lisa Damian
Well written review. Even given your insightful points of criticism, the concepts tackled in Pharmakon sound more interesting to me now than at first glance, thanks to your in-depth and honest critique.
2 - Ethan Stanislawski
Lisa,
I definitely think the book is worth reading. I hope merely saying a book is flawed doesn't mean it should be avoided!
3 - shelley
There is a great article on this on the Big Issue site. Check it out