Victor LaValle

When Apollo Kagwa was just a child, his father disappeared, leaving him with recurring nightmares and a box labelled 'Improbabilia'. Now a successful book dealer, Kagwa has a family of his own after meeting and falling in love with Emma, a librarian. The two marry and have a baby: so far so happy-ever-after. However, as the pair settle into their new lives as parents, exhaustion and anxiety start to take their toll. Emma's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, until one day she commits an unthinkable act, setting Apollo on a wild and fantastical quest through a suddenly otherworldly New York, in search of a wife and child he no longer recognises. An epic novel for our anxiety-ridden times, The Changeling is a tale of parenthood, love - in its most raw and brutal form - and ultimately, humanity.

The Changeling

Victor D. LaValle

The ... story of one man's ... odyssey through an enchanted world to find his wife, who has disappeared after having seemingly committed an unforgivable act of violence"--

A Novel

This book was so much deeper than I expected. It’s a true modern fairytale with its roots taken from the traditional dark stories, not the Disney ones we know today. The way LaValle weaves the magical realism into the insidious aspects of modern life is masterful. It was definitely a slow start for me, took me about 150 pages to get into, but once the main action started, I was hooked. So many interconnected twists but it actually does end happily. 

Katie Allard

This has some absolutely excellent ideas; I loved, for example, the fairy tale format, the fabulist elements and the fact that it unpacks the way society views and treats black parents. I liked that, ultimately, Apollo and Emma were loving parents who would go at great lengths for their child. I believe it is truly valuable to show men as involved parents and partners.

However, the book tended to drag a bit at places and go places that were so surprising, they felt ridiculous rather than surreal. There was a certain boomer-opinions-about-technology energy to it that rather detracted from the overall themes of the novel.

This has some absolutely excellent ideas; I loved, for example, the fairy tale format, the fabulist elements and the fact that it unpacks the way society views and treats black parents. I liked that, ultimately, Apollo and Emma were loving parents who would go at great lengths for their child. I believe it is truly valuable to show men as involved parents and partners.

However, the book tended to drag a bit at places and go places that were so surprising, they felt ridiculous rather than surreal. There was a certain boomer-opinions-about-technology energy to it that rather detracted from the overall themes of the novel.

I loved reading Lone Woman which is the author's most recent book, I belive. The Changeling has been on my TBR FOREVER so I was excited to dive in after reading his other book and seeing that they made it into a show with 

LaKeith Stanfield!!! But the book felt too long. I really think the first half of the book about 50% could have been cut out and didn't really add any value. The main character was a bit hard to root for as he was really narcissitic the entire time and didn't really have any character growth. He was SUPER rude to his mother and his partner so much of the time also. Just a lot of what he did and how he acted towards his family and his friends rubbed me the wrong way. 

I also think the way this book was marketed probably wasn't the best. I was  expecting a bit more of fantastical elements and more magical realism but the magic felt flat and we really only get some of it in the last quarter of the book. There were a few things I wanted the author to actually linger on more, (w/o spoilers) like the island! How cool was that! But we are really only in that scene/environment for a couple of chapters. sigh. 

I'm still excited to see the show because again, LAKEITH STANFIELD, and because I want to picture some of the scenes a bit better. 

Gisela Ayala 

I loved reading Lone Woman which is the author's most recent book, I belive. The Changeling has been on my TBR FOREVER so I was excited to dive in after reading his other book and seeing that they made it into a show with LaKeith Stanfield!!! But the book felt too long. I really think the first half of the book about 50% could have been cut out and didn't really add any value. The main character was a bit hard to root for as he was really narcissitic the entire time and didn't really have any character growth. He was SUPER rude to his mother and his partner so much of the time also. Just a lot of what he did and how he acted towards his family and his friends rubbed me the wrong way. 

I also think the way this book was marketed probably wasn't the best. I was  expecting a bit more of fantastical elements and more magical realism but the magic felt flat and we really only get some of it in the last quarter of the book. There were a few things I wanted the author to actually linger on more, (w/o spoilers) like the island! How cool was that! But we are really only in that scene/environment for a couple of chapters. sigh. 

I'm still excited to see the show because again, LAKEITH STANFIELD, and because I want to picture some of the scenes a bit better. 

Denaiir

This was a crazy rollercoaster of a book, I think it made me feel all the emotions a book can cram into a single story. There were times when it was amazing, other times when it was boring, and I went from disliking it to loving it to feeling "meh" about it. 

I liked the cautionary tale aspect about the dangers of posting personal information online, I feel that so many people don't understand the risks. However, I think the message was a bit lost since the story had so many layers, it might have been more efficient if it was more focused and shorter (I think at least 50 pages less).

(view spoiler)[The first part, about Apollo's parents and the start of his story with Emma, was great. The prose was a pleasure to read, the story was progressing smoothly and I wanted to know more. 

Then came the part when Brian is born, and it was SO boring. Stories about changing diapers in stores, posting pictures to facebook, and life being just plain and not so full of adventure. I started getting bored when Emma was giving birth, I did not care at all about that event, and when the baby was born I really lost interest. It was a 3-star read for me that slowly transformed into a 2.5, a 2-star if this was going to continue for much longer.

And then the end of part 3. BOOM! Just amazing. Utterly crazy, this new arc coming out of nowhere, and the story taking a completely different turn. I loved it, and right then it switched to a 5-star. That part was mind-blowing, I couldn't put it down and when I did I couldn't sleep. It was fantastic. Part 4 was keeping me on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to know more, to figure out what Apollo would do, how he would go on his quest.

And then, total disappointment. The rest of the book (the Wise Ones, the grave digging, the part in Little Norway) were too long, with too much information that dragged on for ages and nothing interesting going on. There were tons of details that we didn't need (Emma brought some books to the kids on the island because she is a librarian, the grave digging took ages, etc.) and not much centered on the action (what attacked Cal? How did Kinder Garten do it? How come only his wife died? And also what exactly happened with Brian Senior? That was explained in half a page!). I won't get into too much details but I just wanted it to end quicker, to finally understand what was going on and get done with it. 

And finally, the ending was far too convenient: the troll generally eats babies but not Brian? He keeps him alive for months? I don't know, it just really didn't work for me. (hide spoiler)]

Overall the book was too messy, with far too many storylines and subjects crammed into it, and I felt that it was trying too hard to juggle all those stories. It was both too long and not detailed enough. I feel that it would have been way more efficient if it had kept a "clean" storyline. 
 
I would still recommend it, because it has some AMAZING scenes at the end of part 3, but if you reach the 50% mark and it gets boring for you, it probably won't pick up again.

follows the story of Apollo Kagwa, a boy whose father disappeared when he was only four years old. Since then, he's had recurring nightmares and severe daddy issues which has led him to try and be the father he never had when his own son is born. However, things take a dark turn when his wife becomes increasingly erratic.

I tried not to let my bias get the better of me when it came to this book for one of three reasons. The first, the author is a man. Now let me make this very clear, despite my obvious misandry at times, I'm not a total bitch. Some men have authorial talent, some do not. It just so happens that most books I've picked up written by a male author have lacked severely in the entertaining sector. The second, one of the reviews on the cover of the book said:

And I despise Murakami. Yet, Anthony Doerr (the author of aforementioned review) was correct. LaValle is similar to Murakami. So you can imagine my feelings about 

. And finally, I read this as part of my book club's November read so I didn't want to bring the atmosphere down by stating all of what I've just told you. Try and keep an open mind... you never know. Sadly, though, I did know.

Before we get into the meat and bones of this story, let me tell you one of my own. Apollo Kagwa was named after the Greek God Apollo, who was God of music and the arts, and the Sun. A famous story about the God, was that he was doomed in the ways of love, harassing the woman he was in love at to the point where she turned herself into a tree to get away from him. Which I thought was very apt for Apollo Kagwa because he, too, was a frightfully annoying and pretentious sack of shit, useless with women too. In the early days of dating his wife, he points out a major flaw on her face as if it's supposed to be this cute, endearing moment between him and her, and him falling in love with her. Like an, "aw did I say that out loud?" moment. If some man, one of the first times I met him told me that one of my eyes is bigger than the other, I'd get up and walk out. Are we kidding? "Maybe she'd taken his observation as an insult." 

Oh, I'm sorry... was that annoying? Well, that was what this book was like. Right when something good was meant to happen, LaValle would take 6 pages telling you some stupid story as a way to explain what was actually going on with the main plot itself. Apollo discovered something new? It came with a fucking TED Talk about the inspiration behind the discovery and then made you discover the truth alone. Because of this, there were so many important and unanswered questions that required LaValle to actually 

you what you needed to know but he didn't. Like with 

 by Christina Lauren, there were whole chapters, backstories and tidbits missing but the story progressed as if you knew what the hell was going on without being told. I get it, some books don't need the explicit language and answers, however, this was not one of those books. It was almost as if LaValle wrote this book, and expected you to be in his brain. 

But also, there were so many sexist microaggressions dotted around here and there, it was hard to keep up with them. But here's one I highlighted from Chapter 9 after Emma moves to Brazil:

Because apparently women having stuff and taking up too much space is such a bad thing.

... what the fuck? First of all, why was this relevant? Second... just what the fuck? Is this picture meant to be the folk horror because that's the closest you get until chapter 80.

But the way he writes Apollo and Emma are just an average reflection of day-to-day, inter-gender relations that are so normalised now it's insane. At one point, Emma tells Apollo a story about when she was in Brazil and how an old woman there gave her a red bracelet that would snap when her wishes came true (foreshadowing), and this mother fucker grabs a knife and cuts it off, telling her he's all she'd ever need. This same man calls her crazy and that she's what's wrong with the family after the baby's born and she's on anti-depressants, hello?? Man was a walking red flag the whole time, and I was screaming at Emma to not date him in the first place. Even towards the end when the couple reunite, after all he's done to her she takes him back? 

But also, while we're on the subject of 

, wanna tell me why these two get back together and spend a whole night having make-up sex while their baby is in a troll's cave and is in potential danger??? "Don't worry honey, if the troll eats that one we can just fuck a new baby into existence." He says while pile-driving her. (Not a real quote, this was added for comedic effect. I will pause for your laughter to die down.)

Why would you name your father after your deadbeat dad who abandoned you?

Why did I have to read about Emma taking a piss first thing in the morning?

Why did Emma's sister Kim drop a vital and depressing family story about how their parents died while Emma is suicidal?

How did Apollo survive the attack AND there be a strong smell of decomposing bodies at the same time? He should have bled out by the time the body started to smell but he didn't. How is this correct? I was corrected in my book club by a spoiler, but even then it feels like a lazy coupout because LaValle couldn't think of another way to save Apollo.

Oh, here's a fun little challenge for you, every time he says "I am the god, Apollo." Take a shot. Actually, don't, you'll need to pump your stomach after... never mind.

What I will say is that towards the end this book was very engaging, but I almost rage quit a few times because of choices LaValle made. I didn't enjoy this book, I'm sorry to say.

Mel James

Well... where do I begin?

The Changeling follows the story of Apollo Kagwa, a boy whose father disappeared when he was only four years old. Since then, he's had recurring nightmares and severe daddy issues which has led him to try and be the father he never had when his own son is born. However, things take a dark turn when his wife becomes increasingly erratic.

I tried not to let my bias get the better of me when it came to this book for one of three reasons. The first, the author is a man. Now let me make this very clear, despite my obvious misandry at times, I'm not a total bitch. Some men have authorial talent, some do not. It just so happens that most books I've picked up written by a male author have lacked severely in the entertaining sector. The second, one of the reviews on the cover of the book said:


"If the literary gods mixed together Haruki Murakami and Ralph Ellison... the result would be Victor LaValle."


And I despise Murakami. Yet, Anthony Doerr (the author of aforementioned review) was correct. LaValle is similar to Murakami. So you can imagine my feelings about the Changeling. And finally, I read this as part of my book club's November read so I didn't want to bring the atmosphere down by stating all of what I've just told you. Try and keep an open mind... you never know. Sadly, though, I did know.

Before we get into the meat and bones of this story, let me tell you one of my own. Apollo Kagwa was named after the Greek God Apollo, who was God of music and the arts, and the Sun. A famous story about the God, was that he was doomed in the ways of love, harassing the woman he was in love at to the point where she turned herself into a tree to get away from him. Which I thought was very apt for Apollo Kagwa because he, too, was a frightfully annoying and pretentious sack of shit, useless with women too. In the early days of dating his wife, he points out a major flaw on her face as if it's supposed to be this cute, endearing moment between him and her, and him falling in love with her. Like an, "aw did I say that out loud?" moment. If some man, one of the first times I met him told me that one of my eyes is bigger than the other, I'd get up and walk out. Are we kidding? "Maybe she'd taken his observation as an insult." No shit, Sherlock.

Oh, I'm sorry... was that annoying? Well, that was what this book was like. Right when something good was meant to happen, LaValle would take 6 pages telling you some stupid story as a way to explain what was actually going on with the main plot itself. Apollo discovered something new? It came with a fucking TED Talk about the inspiration behind the discovery and then made you discover the truth alone. Because of this, there were so many important and unanswered questions that required LaValle to actually tell you what you needed to know but he didn't. Like with the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, there were whole chapters, backstories and tidbits missing but the story progressed as if you knew what the hell was going on without being told. I get it, some books don't need the explicit language and answers, however, this was not one of those books. It was almost as if LaValle wrote this book, and expected you to be in his brain. 

But also, there were so many sexist microaggressions dotted around here and there, it was hard to keep up with them. But here's one I highlighted from Chapter 9 after Emma moves to Brazil:


"Maybe she'd come back with fewer belongings because she was planning to return."


Because apparently women having stuff and taking up too much space is such a bad thing.


""There's a nude photo of your wife in an art gallery in Amsterdam." Nichelle said. Is there a proper response to such a revelation? "Color or black and white?" Apollo asked. It was the best he could do."


... what the fuck? First of all, why was this relevant? Second... just what the fuck? Is this picture meant to be the folk horror because that's the closest you get until chapter 80.


But the way he writes Apollo and Emma are just an average reflection of day-to-day, inter-gender relations that are so normalised now it's insane. At one point, Emma tells Apollo a story about when she was in Brazil and how an old woman there gave her a red bracelet that would snap when her wishes came true (foreshadowing), and this mother fucker grabs a knife and cuts it off, telling her he's all she'd ever need. This same man calls her crazy and that she's what's wrong with the family after the baby's born and she's on anti-depressants, hello?? Man was a walking red flag the whole time, and I was screaming at Emma to not date him in the first place. Even towards the end when the couple reunite, after all he's done to her she takes him back? 

But also, while we're on the subject of that, wanna tell me why these two get back together and spend a whole night having make-up sex while their baby is in a troll's cave and is in potential danger??? "Don't worry honey, if the troll eats that one we can just fuck a new baby into existence." He says while pile-driving her. (Not a real quote, this was added for comedic effect. I will pause for your laughter to die down.)

Why would you name your father after your deadbeat dad who abandoned you?

Why did I have to read about Emma taking a piss first thing in the morning?

Why did Emma's sister Kim drop a vital and depressing family story about how their parents died while Emma is suicidal?

How did Apollo survive the attack AND there be a strong smell of decomposing bodies at the same time? He should have bled out by the time the body started to smell but he didn't. How is this correct? I was corrected in my book club by a spoiler, but even then it feels like a lazy coupout because LaValle couldn't think of another way to save Apollo.

Oh, here's a fun little challenge for you, every time he says "I am the god, Apollo." Take a shot. Actually, don't, you'll need to pump your stomach after... never mind.

What I will say is that towards the end this book was very engaging, but I almost rage quit a few times because of choices LaValle made. I didn't enjoy this book, I'm sorry to say.

Jenna

I don't even know how to start this review for The Changeling by Victor LaValle. It's just so, so good. And so unexpected. I mean, I didn't know what to expect going in. Or even when I was in it! Also I saw that this book is nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the horror category. I'm not quite sure that's the category it should fit in. Fairy or folk tale retelling maybe, but not of the Disney variety. Of the scary but still not horror variety? I don't know. This book has me all jumbled!

The Changeling is about Apollo Kagwa, an antique book dealer living in New York City. After he and his wife, Emma, have a baby, Brian, Emma starts acting strange. Not your regular post-partum depression strange, but, eerie strange. Disturbing strange. It goes on until she commits an unthinkable act and vanishes.

Crippled with grief, stunned, and confused, Apollo searches for Emma. His search takes him from a mysterious island in the East River to a haunted forest in Queens. It feels weird to have to point out a character's race, but Apollo and Emma are black, and this novel paints a picture of their lives as a black couple in New York City. Race simultaneously isn't and is a big part of the book. It's easy to not even think about their race while you're reading, until Apollo has to think about things like walking alone at night on a dark suburban street, and how that looks.

I don't even know what to say about the writing. It's so good! It's so well done! I don't know how to describe it. You can completely lose yourself in LaValle's words and world. The imagery LaValle creates is deft and vivid.

This book is mesmerizing, enchanting, creepy, heartbreaking, and stunningly beautiful all at the same time. The characters feel like real people. The love stories - both romantic and father/son - are compelling. The story about modern parenting and relationships and friendships and family is smart and powerful. The fairy tail elements even felt real.

I can't say enough good things about this book. I recommend this to, well, everyone.

Melanie Richards

Nadine 

The Changeling by Victor Lavalle - this was one tough read but I’m glad I persevered to the end. A modern day fairytale in the very grim Grimm sense of the word, it examines our obsessive documentation of our own and children’s lives, our childhood memories and more with some interesting gear changes and twists along the way.

Melody Izard

The most unusual unfolding of a story that I have ever read. Normal, Normal, Pow! then smack dab into the woods weird.

Emily C Peterson

Witch

The Changeling wasn't at all what I expected--but that's not a bad thing. The title made me think it'd be more of a horror novel, but it wasn't. That's not to say it wasn't scary at times. Much of it kept me on the edge of my seat. It also tugged at my heartstrings. 
Victor LaValle has created a beautiful and strange modern take on a fairy tale.

Sally Salinas

3.4* This story follows Apollo and his family through some weird stuff. lol. The first half of the book is very family oriented, shows Apollo's childhood & the the mystery of his disappearing father to Apollo having his own family. Then I got to ch 29 & the tone changed a little the communication between Apollo & his wife Emma is a bit more angrier, then I got to ch 30 & was like WTF! Then I read ch 31 & was like WTFF! had to go back to ch29 & re-read those chapter, thinking maybe I didn't read what I just read, but the second half of book was totally different. The first half is the more realistic aspect of family life, the second half if the horror/magical/folklore part. Those 3 chapters just hit the fan and now its Apollo trying to find his wife Emma and learn about what happened to his son Brian. I don't really know if I understood everything that happened in the second have of the book or at least I still haven't put the puzzle together. However, I really enjoyed the book, very vested in Apollo and his search. Really liked his friend Patrice, don't know how I feel about Emma, still haven't got over the violence she caused.

Jessica Nottingham

I am about 4 hours from the end of this audio book, and I'm just done. I'm bored out of my skull. There is so much brilliance here, a darkly beautiful fairy tale, but it's hidden under massive info dumps and more mundane events than I can handle. Things will start to pick up, my interest will peak, and then it's back to the mundane. It doesn't help that the narrator of this book is mainly monotone. I might come back to this at a later date but, as it stands, I'm walking away. It's the end of the year, and I refuse to end on a mediocre book.

Ana Couto

The book held my attention until about halfway through, but then it lost me a bit. I listened to it as audiobook — the narration was great, but overall I couldn’t get into the book’s element of magical realism.

The Changeling

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