1 / 2The Great Believers: A Novel
The Great Believers is a novel by Rebecca Makkai, following intertwined lives during the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago and in contemporary Paris. Its dual timelines and focus on friendship, grief, and family suit readers looking for emotionally weighty literary fiction.
At a glance
- Two connected narratives move between 1980s Chicago and contemporary Paris.
- The Chicago storyline follows art-gallery development director Yale Tishman as the AIDS epidemic affects his circle of friends.
- Decades later, Fiona searches for her estranged daughter and reckons with the crisis's effects on her life and relationships.
- The listing identifies this as a 480-page English reprint edition.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- The dual timelines connect the AIDS crisis in Chicago with a later story of family and memory in Paris.
- The 480-page length offers room for the intertwined narratives and character-focused storytelling.
- Customer feedback describes the writing and characters as engaging and emotionally affecting.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Penguin Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | June 4, 2019 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 480 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 073522353X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0735223530 |
| Weight listed | 2.31 pounds |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.45 x 1.01 x 8.23 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of literary fiction centered on friendship, grief, and family relationships.
- Readers interested in fiction set during the 1980s AIDS crisis and in contemporary Paris.
- Book clubs seeking a substantial novel with two connected timelines and thought-provoking themes.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a light or low-emotion read, as the story addresses illness, death, and loss.
- Readers who prefer a short novel or a single, linear storyline.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
66% 66% - 4 stars
26% 26% - 3 stars
7% 7% - 2 stars
1% 1% - 1 star
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Customer feedback describes the novel as compelling and absorbing, with praise for its connected timelines, writing, and relatable characters. Readers also characterize it as heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. That response aligns with the listing's focus on an AIDS-crisis story and later family reckoning, though the emotional subject matter may not suit readers seeking lighter fiction.
Positive themes
- Customers describe the story as engaging and compelling.
- Feedback praises the writing and character development.
- Customers find the novel emotionally affecting and thought-provoking.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Great Believers about?
The novel follows Yale and his friends during the AIDS crisis in 1980s Chicago, then returns decades later to Fiona as she searches for her daughter in Paris and reflects on the past.
Is The Great Believers told in one timeline?
No. Its story alternates between the 1980s Chicago storyline and Fiona's later experiences in contemporary Paris.
How long is this edition?
The listing gives a print length of 480 pages.
What edition and language does this listing specify?
It is listed as a Reprint edition in English, published by Penguin Books.
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