The formatting, organization, and content of A Visit From the Goon Squad all lead readers to one question: "How do I read this book?"
Egan uses this novel, written in chapters of short stories, to provide a glimpse into the life of the modern individual. The idea that life experience gives way to a new understanding of the world around you and opens the channels towards future progress is a key component to Egan's message. In life, it is relieving to come to the understanding that while each experience we have leaves us with a unique piece of knowledge, these chunks of wisdom have exponentially more impact on personal character when assembled together. For this reason, Egan's message is best grasped when the novel is read as a whole text, allowing the reader to synthesize the solitary points of each story into a complete philosophy.
Egan uses this novel, written in chapters of short stories, to provide a glimpse into the life of the modern individual. The idea that life experience gives way to a new understanding of the world around you and opens the channels towards future progress is a key component to Egan's message. In life, it is relieving to come to the understanding that while each experience we have leaves us with a unique piece of knowledge, these chunks of wisdom have exponentially more impact on personal character when assembled together. For this reason, Egan's message is best grasped when the novel is read as a whole text, allowing the reader to synthesize the solitary points of each story into a complete philosophy.