By Emily Pettilon
Managing Editor
Although author Malcolm Gladwell’s career is still young, his literary prowess already seems to be dwindling. He may still know how to write an entertaining story, but his ability to craft a compelling argument is now nearly nonexistent.
Gladwell’s fifth novel, “David and Goliath,” is an engaging read, thanks to the author’s vivid storytelling. Yet, like all of Gladwell’s other novels in the psychological genre, the emphasis of “David and Goliath” is to focus on an argument, not the story. Here, Gladwell argues that apparent weaknesses can actually prove to be strengths, but his inability to properly support his claim undermines his novel’s academic credibility and value as a whole.
Gladwell began his career as a journalist, with his success taking off after his arrival at the New Yorker in 1996. His early articles, “Tipping Point” and “The Coolhunt,” are known to be some of his most popular works, with the novelized version of “Tipping Point” receiving acclaim for Gladwell’s unique analysis of crime trends in New York.
In “David and Goliath,” Gladwell explores the dynamics of being an underdog through a series of short stories, that though they are not connected in the story, share the same theme. Some of the more notable include the story of a doctor fighting leukemia with dangerous techniques and an inside look at Martin Luther King Jr.’s march to Birmingham. Gladwell collectively uses these stories to explore how those, with the odds favored against them, are able to come out successful.
The most apparent flaw of “David and Goliath” lies in Gladwell’s selectivity of evidence. Gladwell claims in one moment that childhood trauma gives people strength that others would lack, but in a different story acknowledges that many who lose a parent early on are completely crushed. By ignoring such contradictions, the validity of “David and Goliath” overall is severely hindered.
Despite this, Gladwell’s captivating storytelling remains prominent. His tales of hard-won victories, diverse personalities and unexpected outcomes shine thanks to the author’s ability to make the reader empathize with all of his characters. This is made possible through the in-depth explanations of their motives and emotions throughout the novel.
The narrative is accented by Gladwell’s attention to detail. Each of the complex plots is explored in depth, like in one instance where Gladwell thoroughly examines the effect of leukemia on a young boy and his family. His in-depth description make unrelatable situations like dealing with leukimia seem real.
An additional weakness of the book is the oversimplification of complex events. Gladwell takes complicated moments in history, such as Parisian Impressionist painters’ rejection of traditional salons, and claims them to only have one or two causes. These are elaborate conflicts, and through his dumbed-down interpretation, Gladwell unintentionally illustrates his lack of understanding of such occurrences.
“David and Goliath” contains superb short stories and dimensional characters but suffers from unsupported claims and shakily chosen evidence. Gladwell’s talent now seems to be limited to entertainment, as it appears that anything beyond that is now above his capacity as a writer.
“David and Goliath” is now available digitally and in retail for $15.95.
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