I enjoyed the Sympathizer, partly because of the creative metaphors he uses and his lyrical descriptions. I wouldn't call it purple at all. It's not exactly window pane prose, but his meaning is clear, not confusing.

What is considered good writing has changed over time. But for me, the Sympathizer is well within modern standards for good writing.

Edit, for anyone considering reading the book, some of the content is brutal.

I read for myself for 20 minutes at bedtime. I also have the kindle app on my phone, so if I am in line or waiting for a bus, I can read. Some people use audiobooks while working out or doing household chores.

A polite letter or email or a positive review, yes.

Many romance books are pulpy and not high quality. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is an excellent romance.

Lions of Al Rassan. I haven't read the others by Kay yet but they have a great reputation. Lions grabbed my attention and hit my heart. It is two thirds male perspective.

For more fully male perspective, the Dragon and the George

Terry Pratchett.

Sooley was an excellent book about a young basketball player.

El-ahrairah, your people cannot rule the world for I will not have it so. All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.,

Watership Down

I loved a Man Called Ove. Anxious People was fun. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets longer and longer was a punch in the gut.

I'm currently in the middle of Things My Son Needs to know about the World. If Dave Berry wrote about fatherhood, it might look something like this book.

Great author.

Also, Remnant Population, but she enjoys her solitude. A Psalm for the Wild Built.

A Man Called Ove

I tend to prefer classic novellas, but it is a brilliant book. If you read on an e-reader, you can tap for definitions to words, which is helpful.

So sarcasm, or r/lostredditors?

Pratchett did diversity well in his depiction of Ankh Morpork. So did Guy Gavriel Kay in Lions of Al Rassan. I get annoyed when authors don't provide a reason for diversity, or a back story, unless the setting is an immigrant country like Australia or the US. But I am not going to publicly complain about it. It's just a pedantic nitpick in my head cannon.

It's virtual grief. Like any other grief it takes time. Just let it exist without fighting it. You will be fine.

I am only familiar with this rising to the level of controversy in films and video games.

It's very philosophical in the strict sense of the word, not the casual sense that just means thought provoking.

Go for it. I found it much harder than I expected or was ready for. It might be different now, but my to read list is long enough.

If you ever want lighter sci-fi, look for space opera. But congratulations!

Myself I prefer sci-fi that emphasizes social or political or biotechnology or aliens rather than math, engineering or physics. But there is room for everyone and their tastes.

Godel Escher Bach defeated me. I'm not willing to work that hard. I love Name of the Rose though. I tried G E B, based on Name of the Rose and it's different.

There are millions of subscribers to this subreddit. There are purists and gatekeepers in any hobby. Don't let someone else yuck your yum.

Hunger Games gave me an excellent reading experience and I didn't find it until my 40s.

I give books as gifts to relatives who like to read, and to my niblings who I want to encourage to read. I tend to suggest names of books to friends, but don't purchase them as gifts for them.

Bird by Bird, Writing Down the Bones, The conflict Thesaurus a Writers guide to Obstacles, Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear, the Year you Write your novel, Marge Piercy So you want to Write.

Fiver and Hazel and Bigwig from Watership Down