The Feral Detective
The Feral Detective
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
California Desert • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem follows disillusioned journalist Phoebe Siegler as she quits her job and travels to Los Angeles to find her friend's missing daughter, Arabella, with the help of an unconventional detective named Charles Heist. Along their journey, they encounter hostile desert tribes and enduring conflict while navigating danger to rescue Arabella.
Mysterious
Gritty
Challenging
Suspenseful
Dark
Reviews & Readership
4,949 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethem blends a detective mystery with social commentary, set against a vividly described desert backdrop. Critics praise its incisive exploration of contemporary America and unique characters, but some find the plot convoluted and occasionally meandering. The novel’s experimental nature excites as much as it divides.
Who Should Read The Feral Detective?
A reader who enjoys atmospheric, character-driven mysteries with a blend of noir and quirky adventure will revel in Jonathan Lethem's The Feral Detective. Fans of Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 or Haruki Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World will appreciate its narrative style and offbeat, surreal elements.
4,949 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
California Desert • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
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