The Fetishist
By Katherine Min
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A shocking and stunning story with a perfect blend of intrigue, The Fetishist is an absolute force that hooked me from the start. It begins with musicians and a mysterious revenge murder plot. Following a few characters and the windows into their various interconnected pasts, if you enjoy stories with multiple perspectives this one is a unique treat. The most prevalent theme throughout is the pervasive fetishization of Asian women (in this case, in the music industry.) And Katherine Min doesn't hold back. The way Min writes anger is especially remarkable - it completely drew me in. The anger explodes from the page, and it's so beautifully realized that I had to pause and let it sit. She balances this force with humor and charm. I was particularly enamored with Alma, the love interest of the character the book is named for, and the true main character in my opinion. Through the fetishization of the character of Alma, Katherine Min confronts self worth and personal value. By showing multiple angles of self confrontation, she creates a conversation that allows different facets of pain to flourish. It's a perfect blend of literary fiction and thrills, which is a favorite combo of mine. Despite what I've mentioned here, this book is also about love. Love for music, for places, for people. It is being published posthumously by Min's daughter - but the care and love that made that a reality is obvious too. I can't think of novels I can compare it to, but if you gravitate towards dramatic stories with humor and introspection this is not one to be missed. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC.