Either/Or

In 'Either/Or,' Elif Batuman continues the journey of Selin, a Harvard sophomore in 1996, as she grapples with the aftermath of a transformative summer abroad. Armed with a literature syllabus and a desire to understand the meaning of life – and her own burgeoning adulthood – Selin endeavors to decipher the lingering questions from her time in Hungary, particularly concerning her elusive crush, Ivan, and the eccentric people she encountered. She navigates the perplexing landscape of early adulthood, pondering how to live a life as compelling as a novel without falling into the literary trope of the 'crazy abandoned woman.' Guided by her peers and a deep intellectual curiosity, Selin resolves to explore universal experiences like parties, alcohol, and sex, often with humorous and revelatory results. As she embarks on further international travel, the novel unfolds with a propulsive energy, blending sharp wit with profound introspection, offering a unique and unforgettable portrait of self-discovery and the quest for meaning in a complex world.