Rachel Kushner’s The Flamethrowers is praised for its vivid prose and richly textured 70s setting, exploring themes of art, politics, and identity. Characters are compelling, though some critics find the plot meandering. The novel's ambitious narrative intertwines personal and historical events, delivering an intellectually stimulating, if occasionally uneven, read.

Readers who would enjoy Rachel Kushner's The Flamethrowers are typically intrigued by avant-garde art, radical politics, and the gritty underbelly of the 1970s New York scene. Fans of novels like Don DeLillo's White Noise or Patti Smith's Just Kids will appreciate its vibrant prose and intellectual depth.

The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner follows Reno, a young artist who moves to New York City in the 1970s and becomes entangled with the wealthy, creative Sandro and his friend Ronnie. Her journey takes her from the art world of New York to the Italian countryside where she navigates complex relationships, her artistic ambitions, and political upheaval, embedding herself in labor rights movements that challenge the status quo. The novel includes instances of violence and exploitation.

Rachel Kushner

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The Flamethrowers

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