Sam

Book Review: Sam

As a book critic, I recently had the pleasure of reading Allegra Goodman’s latest novel, Sam. Set to be published by Random House Publishing Group on January 3, 2023, this book is already causing a stir in the literary world. After reading it myself, I can confidently say that it deserves all the attention it’s getting and more.

The plot of Sam is centered around a woman named Samantha (hence the title) who is struggling to balance her personal and professional life. She’s ambitious, driven and incredibly intelligent but finds herself at a crossroads when her work as a scientist collides with her desire for motherhood. The story follows Samantha as she navigates these competing desires alongside an ensemble of well-developed characters.

What struck me most about Sam was how authentically human each character felt. Goodman has crafted complex individuals with their own unique motivations and desires, making them feel real and relatable. This was particularly true for Samantha herself – I found myself rooting for her throughout the book, despite some of her flawed decision-making.

The writing style itself was engaging and easy to follow. Goodman has a way with words that allows you to fully immerse yourself in each scene without feeling weighed down by heavy prose or unnecessary exposition.

One thing that stood out to me as a potential criticism was that at times the plot felt predictable. There were certain story beats that I saw coming from miles away which made certain moments lose their impact. However, this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, I would give Sam four out of five stars. The characters were compelling, the writing was strong and it left me feeling deeply moved by Samantha’s journey. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read with heart and depth.

Sam

publishedDate : 2023-01-03

authors : Allegra Goodman

publishers : Random House Publishing Group

pageCount : 336