Bunny by Mona Awad

How hard is Bunny to read?

Bunny scores 70 out of 100 for difficulty on ReadingRate, making it quite demanding. The score is a weighted composite of nine measures: four of how hard the prose is to parse, five of how hard the meaning is to extract.

Vocabulary: 58 out of 100

Awad employs a contemporary, literary vocabulary, using words like "demitasse," "offal," and "saccadic." While not overly obscure, the language is elevated and precise, contributing to the novel's distinct voice. This is similar to the vocabulary in *The Great Gatsby*, which is elegant but accessible.

Sentence structure: 55 out of 100

The sentences in *Bunny* vary in length and structure, often incorporating descriptive clauses and parenthetical asides. While not as extreme as the long, winding sentences of *In Search of Lost Time*, the syntax requires careful attention to follow the narrator's train of thought. The book uses balanced, rhythmic sentences similar to *The Great Gatsby*.

Abstraction: 68 out of 100

The novel blends concrete descriptions of university life with explorations of identity, creativity, and the nature of reality. While the narrative is grounded in the protagonist's experiences, it delves into philosophical questions about art, belonging, and the self. This level of abstraction is similar to that found in *2666*, which is grounded but probes meaning.

Information density: 62 out of 100

Awad packs a considerable amount of detail into each page, from descriptions of settings and characters to explorations of complex themes. The narrative requires active engagement from the reader to process the layers of meaning and symbolism. This is similar to *Lolita*, which has a rich texture but flows.

Narrative indirection: 75 out of 100

The novel relies heavily on the narrator's subjective perspective, leaving the reader to question the reliability of her perceptions. The line between reality and fantasy blurs, requiring the reader to actively interpret events and motivations. This is similar to *Lolita*, where the unreliable narrator requires reading against.

Symbolic density: 78 out of 100

The novel is rich in symbolism, with recurring motifs such as bunnies, blood, and transformations carrying deeper meanings. The characters and settings often function as allegorical representations of themes such as conformity, creativity, and the dark side of female relationships. This is similar to *The Great Gatsby*, with its green light and valley of ashes.

Ironic distance: 72 out of 100

The novel employs a significant degree of ironic distance, as the narrator's sardonic observations and self-deprecating humor create a gap between what she says and what she truly means. The reader must discern the underlying emotions and motivations beneath the surface of her witty commentary. This is similar to *Lolita*, with its seduction of unreliable charm.

Resolution withholding: 80 out of 100

The novel leaves many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the nature of the Bunnies and the events that transpire at their gatherings. The ending is ambiguous, resisting closure and inviting multiple interpretations. This is similar to *2666*, where mysteries are unsolved and violence unexplained.

Structural complexity: 65 out of 100

The novel features shifts in time and perspective, as the narrator's memories and fantasies interweave with the present-day narrative. The blurring of reality and illusion adds to the structural complexity, requiring the reader to navigate multiple layers of meaning. This is similar to *Midnight's Children*, with its multiple timelines and flashback-heavy structure.

How Bunny is regarded

Bunny holds a literary regard score of 36 out of 100, weighing its place in the canon, its critical reception, its influence on other writers, and the standing of its author. Regard is measured separately from difficulty: a demanding book is not necessarily an admired one.

About the author

Mona Awad