I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai

I Have Some Questions For You is centred around Bodie Kane, a flourishing podcaster and film professor, who returns to Granby School (New Hampshire boarding school) where she experienced a challenging time marked with unpopularity and struggles with weight, embracing the emo subculture. Assigned to teach for two weeks, her return is suddenly filled with the memories of tragedy, harassment, and the murder of her former roommate, Thalia Keith. Granby’s athletic trainer, Omar Evans, who was rumoured to be involved with Thalia, was convicted for the murder. However, Bodie can’t help but reflect on the complexities of the investigation and the inadequacies in Evan’s defence.

When one of Bodie’s students chooses to delve into Thalia’s murder for a podcast project, Bodie finds herself drawn back into the past. As she uncovers pertinent facts about the case, she questions the handling of evidence. Core memories associated with Thalia and the night she died resurface and she queries the mistreatment of people of colour involved in crime. This rekindles her obsession with Granby and a longstanding secret that might unveil Thalia’s true murderer.

“I Have Some Questions For You” is a complex narrative involving race and classes, Bodie’s memories, her strained marriage, media stories of unaddressed rape and harassment, Rita Hayworth’s research, Granby’s controversial history, and a Twitter backlash. In less skilled hands, these elements could overwhelm, but Makkai adeptly manages each subplot, creating a harmonious blend with the central crime story.

The novel delves into dark themes — murder and grief, racism and privilege, physical and sexual abuse, differing memories, and the human desire to be at the centre of tragedy. Makkai’s storytelling, Bodie’s voice, and the novel’s format captivate, making it a challenging but irresistible read. The central question — who killed Thalia Keith? — remains elusive, with Bodie envisioning different scenarios and complicating the mystery by quizzing several key people involved in Thalia’s life; including her. 

I Have Some Questions for You” embraces a myriad of elements including themes of a whodunit and a crime novel, an exploration of suppressed memories, a critique of social media and its innate ability to skew context and punish all wrongs, and the portrayal of a woman trying to make sense of her past whilst dealing with a turbulent present. It prompts reflection on what is right and wrong, and the challenge of discerning truth in events one did not witness. Makkai has created a literary masterpiece, positioning it as one of the standout reads of 2023.

Rating: 5/5

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