Neel Mukherjee is one of my favorite writers. You never get the same thing twice. His latest Choice is three seprate novella in one at least that is how I would describe. They all deal with topics of race, neoliberalism, justice. The first one was my favorite of the three because it dealt with the inside world of publishing and what certain readers and editors expect from it. It shows the prejudices that are there from both parties. The second and third parts deal with the choices we make in life and how they affect us and th world. While this book may not be for everyone and there may sections that you may like and another reader won't it goes perectly with the title and Choices. No matter what you feel you won't regret pick picking up this book and giving it a chance of opening your mind and being exposed to exquisite writing. It's a great pick for a book club because there is so mjch to discuss tin these three stories. Thanks to Netgalley and W.W. Norton for the read.

3.5 stars-Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, releasing in April 2nd 2024!

I originally requested an ARC of this because of a positive comment by Hanya Yanagihara, whose writing I like. This book is essentially three novellas (barely) tied together by a short mention in the first story, all of which deal with themes of morality and the choices we make, as well as the dangers of "well-meaning" white (neo)liberalism. I did like that overarching connection and the idea that even when we make what seems to be the most moral choice possible, because we don't exist in a laboratory but in a living society there will often be negative consequences that accompany the good of that choice. Mukherjee's writing is beautiful. My biggest issue in this book is with the characters, who sometimes felt like almost cartoonish versions of what they were supposed to represent. Part 1 was the worst for this, Part 2 was slightly better, and Part 3 had the least of this and was definitely my favorite of the three stories.

I have, in the past, been intensely moved, and informed, by this author’s fine fiction. Not so much on this occasion. Instead, I felt slightly hectored by the didactic nature of the work. Yes, it’s relevant and insightful on the complex issues of our day, but it also had the feel of a sampler or text book. I will look forward to what follows.