Book Review: "The Removed"
“Those memories flooded my mind in an instant, and I waved goodbye to him.”
Brandon Hobson’s 2021 novel “The Removed” is a work of magical realism following a family struggling to cope with the murder of their family member Ray-Ray. The novel alternates between family members, giving readers multiple perspectives on Ray-Ray’s death as each member of the family copes in their own way. As the family ponders Ray-Ray’s death, the line between our reality and the spirit world breaks down.
Because this boundary is dissolved, it is often difficult, if not downright impossible, to distinguish between metaphor and reality. This leads to several parts of the book having multiple possible interpretations. This creates a unique reading experience, as several chapters are simultaneously happening and not happening.
The supernatural elements in this novel are interesting, as they are inspired by Cherokee folklore. The presence of Cherokee folklore emphasizes the themes of being Cherokee while playing into other themes of the book, such as loss and substance abuse. This layered theming makes the book complex without making it challenging to read, giving readers a satisfying yet easy reading experience.
The shifting perspectives make the book a page-turner, as there is something new and interesting happening every few pages. Each character is involved in a different plot line, making “The Removed” a series of interconnected stories rather than one large plotline. All of the stories are interesting in their own way, making the book challenging to put down.
This novel is excellent, being immensely enjoyable for both academic and recreational reading. The multiple storylines are distinct yet intertwined, causing the novel to grip my attention and making it nearly impossible to stop reading. I highly recommend this novel for its brilliant use of magical realism, fascinating storylines and effortlessly complex theming.
