Barack Obama's hyped summer read is a bad novel that thinks it's good

Katie Kitamura's novel "Audition," lauded by inclusion on Barack Obama's summer reading list, has failed to impress a Swedish reviewer. Gabriel Zetterström of Dagens Nyheter describes the book as a "bad novel that thinks it's good," criticizing its "frustratingly sleepy prose" and lack of engaging narrative.

The novel, set in the world of theater, attempts to explore themes of identity and perception. One scene, where a waitress mistakes the protagonist's father for a client, is noted as the only memorable moment. However, the reviewer argues that the book ultimately falls flat, presenting an "empty shell" rather than a compelling story.

Kitamura employs a dual-narrative structure, presenting two different realities involving the same characters. In one, a young man believes the protagonist is his mother, which is impossible as she has never had children. The second part shifts, presenting him as her son. The reviewer finds this ambitious structural choice uninspired, stating that neither parallel track feels exciting.

Despite Kitamura's apparent intention to challenge the reader and create an unreliable narrative, the reviewer remains uninterested. The novel's attempts to convey its complex rules are described as heavy-handed, ultimately failing to create a cohesive or captivating experience.