How long is Evidence of the Affair?

Evidence of the Affair is approximately 12,617 words. At an average reading pace, it takes about 1 hour to read.

Is Evidence of the Affair difficult to read?

Evidence of the Affair has a difficulty score of 4.4 out of 10, making it moderately challenging. Key factors include vocabulary complexity (3.2/10), sentence structure (4.0/10), abstract concepts (4.5/10).

Is Evidence of the Affair worth reading?

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid is notable with a literary regard score of 1.5/10. Visit ReadingRate for the full difficulty analysis and reading guide.

When was Evidence of the Affair published?

Evidence of the Affair was published in 2018 by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Name: Evidence of the Affair
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published 2018 · 12,617 words · about 1 hour at an average pace

How hard is Evidence of the Affair to read?

Evidence of the Affair scores 44 out of 100 for difficulty on ReadingRate, making it moderately challenging. 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: 32 out of 100: The language is contemporary and accessible, avoiding specialized jargon or archaic terms. While the characters are articulate, their dialogue and correspondence use everyday language, similar to "Beach Read" in its clarity. There are no instances of invented language or complex terminology.
Sentence structure: 40 out of 100: The sentences are generally straightforward, with a mix of simple and compound structures. While some sentences are longer due to the epistolary format, they rarely contain multiple nested clauses. The syntax is more complex than "1984" due to the conversational tone, but less demanding than "The Great Gatsby."
Abstraction: 45 out of 100: The narrative focuses on concrete emotional experiences and interpersonal relationships. While the characters reflect on their lives and choices, the story remains grounded in the specifics of their situations. The level of abstraction is lower than "Remains of the Day," as the emotional undercurrents are more explicitly addressed.
Information density: 40 out of 100: The story unfolds through letters, which provide direct insights into the characters' thoughts and feelings. While the plot involves infidelity and emotional turmoil, the pacing is relatively steady, and the reveals are manageable. The information density is higher than "The Housemaid" due to the dual perspectives and emotional depth, but lower than "Austerlitz."
Narrative indirection: 55 out of 100: The story is told through letters, which provide direct access to the characters' thoughts and feelings, but the reader must still infer the full context of their relationships and actions. The characters often express their emotions and motivations directly, but the reader must piece together the truth from their individual perspectives, similar to "The Great Gatsby."
Symbolic density: 30 out of 100: The story contains some symbolic elements, such as the significance of the penny or the changing seasons, but these symbols are not heavily emphasized. The narrative primarily focuses on the literal events and emotional experiences of the characters. The symbolic density is higher than "Diary of a Young Girl" due to the presence of some recurring motifs, but lower than "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Ironic distance: 40 out of 100: There is some ironic distance in the story, as the characters often present a facade to the world while grappling with their inner turmoil. The reader is aware of the gap between their public personas and private struggles, but the narrative primarily focuses on their sincere emotional engagement. The ironic distance is less pronounced than in "The Great Gatsby," as the characters' vulnerabilities are more openly displayed.
Resolution withholding: 60 out of 100: The story reaches a resolution in terms of the characters' relationships, but the ending leaves some ambiguity about their long-term happiness. While the immediate conflicts are resolved, the reader is left to wonder about the future of their marriages and individual lives. The level of resolution withholding is similar to "The Great Gatsby," as the plot is closed, but the meaning remains open to interpretation.
Structural complexity: 45 out of 100: The narrative is primarily structured as an epistolary novel, with letters exchanged between the two main characters. While there are no significant timeline jumps or POV shifts, the story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Carrie and David. The structural complexity is higher than "Beach Read" due to the epistolary format, but lower than "Midnight's Children."

How Evidence of the Affair is regarded

Evidence of the Affair holds a literary regard score of 15 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

Taylor Jenkins Reid