We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
Westmark isn't particularly difficult to read in and of itself—the language is straightforward and the characters are easily interpretable. But its themes are deeply political, and it can be difficult to discern just what the author is trying to say about really important matters, like ethics and government. As the novel goes on, Alexander introduces moral ambiguities that complicate how the characters see themselves—and how we, as readers, understand their actions. Instead of making it a super hard book to read, though, instead it just makes it more interesting.