Mating
Mating
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Brief
Beta480
Novel • Fiction
Botswana • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Mating by Norman Rush is a novel set in the Botswana desert during the 1980s. It follows a graduate student focused on anthropology and her encounter with a charismatic American leading an experimental community. The story explores themes of love, intellectual exploration, and self-discovery against an African backdrop.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Challenging
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
5,300 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Norman Rush's Mating is praised for its intellectual depth and innovative narrative style. The novel's exploration of complex themes, such as love and utopian ideals, resonates with readers. However, some criticize its dense prose and slow pacing. Despite this, it remains a thought-provoking work that challenges conventional romance narratives.
Who Should Read Mating?
Readers who enjoy Mating by Norman Rush typically appreciate intellectually rich narratives exploring themes of love and anthropology. Fans of Middlemarch by George Eliot or The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides, which combine intricate character studies with sociopolitical themes, would likely find this engaging.
5,300 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
480
Novel • Fiction
Botswana • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!