Loftwings and Demons

So, apparently there's going to be an HBO limited series based on The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. I have mixed feelings about this, as I often do about adaptations, but I did think the trailer was attention-grabbing:

The Sympathizer | Official Teaser | Max

I never* reread books, but I kind of want to reread the book now. I remember some of the stuff in the trailer from the book, but other parts I don't but they seem like something that could have happened in the book, so I'm trying to figure out if they're scenes from the book I just forgot or if they were added just for this tv series.

This reminds me that I want to do a proper review for this book. Maybe someday. I feel a proper review needs to be better than 'it was really good' or even 'it was extremely good' but rather to explain in detail exactly what terrain was covered as that telephone cord of prose tied around my neck dragged me through the story at breakneck speed.

* not entirely true but it is extremely rare for me to reread anything, and usually it's not based on quality or even enjoyment

So, when I found out The Sympathizer had a sequel, I of course had to read it.  While I didn't think any sequel could outdo such an ambitious predecessor, given my predilection for serials, I could hardly imagine passing it up.

So I finished The Committed last night.  It's a philosophical gangster thriller taking place in France which occurs after the events of The Sympathizer.  I found it a worthwhile addition to the original, though despite being deeply linked to its predecessor, it's a very different kind of story in many ways.  I feel like ultimately the two stories are intentionally taking a different approach to their subject matter, so I'm not sure they can really be compared in an apples to apples sense.

( nonspecific but possibly spoilery thoughts on the ending...... )