The Borrower

Lucy Hull works as a children's librarian in Hannibal, Missouri. When ten-year-old patron Ian Drake runs away from his conservative parents who are forcing him into anti-gay conversion therapy, Lucy becomes unwittingly entangled in his escape. What begins as a misunderstanding evolves into an impromptu road trip across multiple states, with Lucy struggling to determine the right course of action. During their journey, she grapples with questions about her own Russian immigrant family history while trying to protect Ian from harm. The story interweaves elements of classic children's literature as Lucy and Ian's complicated friendship deepens on the road. Their travels force Lucy to confront ethical dilemmas about the boundaries between helping and kidnapping, protection and interference. The novel explores themes of sexual identity, censorship, and the formative power of books in children's lives. Through Lucy's perspective, it raises questions about adult responsibility, personal freedom, and the complex intersection of family, morality, and the law.

Readers connect with the book's focus on intellectual freedom and LGBTQ+ themes. Many reviews highlight the complex relationship between Lucy and Ian, with several noting the ethical questions it raises about adult intervention in a child's life. Readers appreciate: - The literary references woven throughout - The quirky library setting and atmosphere - The humor in Lucy's internal monologue Common criticisms: - Plot developments that strain credibility - Lucy's decisions being frustrating or irresponsible - Unresolved storylines at the ending Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (130+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (300+ ratings) "The book references make this an English major's dream," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another on Amazon states, "Lucy's choices made me increasingly uncomfortable - I couldn't decide if that was brilliant or problematic." Multiple reviewers compare the narrative style to Where'd You Go, Bernadette.

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🔖 Rebecca Makkai developed the character of Ian Drake years before writing The Borrower, first featuring him in a short story called "Suspension: April 1998." 📚 The book's protagonist, Lucy Hull, shares her surname with prominent librarian and children's literature advocate E. Adelaide Hull, who championed children's library services in the early 1900s. 🌟 The novel draws inspiration from classic children's literature, particularly referencing Where the Wild Things Are and The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. 🗺️ The road trip portion of the novel spans nine states, with Lucy and Ian's journey mirroring aspects of both The Wizard of Oz and Lolita. 📖 Makkai wrote The Borrower while working as a teacher at the Latin School of Chicago, often writing during her lunch breaks and after school hours.