Elif Batuman's Either/Or is applauded for its witty, introspective narrative and engaging exploration of a young woman's intellectual and personal growth. Some critics, however, find the pacing uneven and the protagonist's musings occasionally overindulgent. Overall, it's a thought-provoking sequel with rich literary references, appealing mainly to fans of cerebral fiction.

Readers who enjoy Either/Or by Elif Batuman are typically fans of literary fiction infused with intellectual exploration and humor. They appreciate introspective narratives similar to Sally Rooney's Normal People and Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation, blending personal growth with philosophical musings.

Either/Or by Elif Batuman follows Selin Karadag, a sophomore at Harvard College, as she navigates her academic and personal life, grapples with the aftermath of a confusing pseudo-relationship, and strives to understand her own identity and desires. As Selin explores literature, relationships, and new experiences domestically and abroad, she seeks to translate her fragmented reality into a cohesive narrative. The book depicts experiences with mental health and depression.

Contemplative / Humorous / Emotional / Nostalgic / Melancholic

- Either/Or by Elif Batuman is the sequel to her debut novel The Idiot, picking up the story of Selin during her sophomore year at Harvard.
- The title Either/Or is a nod to the philosophical work by Søren Kierkegaard, which explores themes of existentialism and personal choice, reflecting the novel's focus on Selin's journey of self-discovery.
- Elif Batuman's writing in Either/Or continues to blend humor with introspection, drawing from her own experiences as a student to detail the protagonist's intellectual and emotional explorations.

**Selin**  
The novel's protagonist and narrator, Selin is a sophomore at Harvard College studying literature with aspirations of becoming a writer. Born in the USA to Turkish émigré parents, she navigates college life, develops friendships, and grapples with her cultural identity and personal relationships.

**Ivan**  
A Hungarian-born former student and Selin's confusing love interest, who is now pursuing an advanced degree in mathematics in California. His interactions with Selin largely occur through email exchanges centered around intellectual and literary discussions.

**Svetlana**  
Selin's closest friend at Harvard, with whom she shares a Russian class experience. A Serbian-born student, Svetlana offers insights into Selin's personal struggles and encourages her to seek therapy, reflecting their strong friendship.

**Riley, Priya, Lakshmi, and Juho**  
These are Selin's classmates and roommates in overflow housing, mostly foreign students who contribute to Selin's intellectual and social growth. They engage in meaningful exchanges of ideas and help facilitate Selin's personal development through their interactions.

Elif Batuman

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Either/Or reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Either/Or | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Either/Or and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Either/Or Summary and Study Guide

Background

Either/Or Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “September 1996”

Part 1 Either/Or Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Rest of Fall Semester”

Part 2 Either/Or Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Spring Semester”

Part 3 Either/Or Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Summer”

Part 4 Either/Or Part 4 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Either/Or Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Either/Or Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Either/Or Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Either/Or Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Either/Or Essay Topics

Either/Or

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Either/Or?

Reading Age

Book Details