10:04

by Ben Lerner
10:04 cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 708
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781847088925
  • Publisher: Granta Books
  • Published: 2014-09-04
  • Formats: 35
  • Reviews: 3
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In the past year, the narrator of 10:04 has experienced a whirlwind of life-changing events, from unexpected literary success to a potentially fatal heart condition and an unconventional request from his best friend. Set against the backdrop of a New York City plagued by superstorms and political unrest, the novel delves into themes of biological mortality, artistic legacy, and the complexities of contemporary relationships. With prose that is both hilarious and deeply intelligent, Lerner's novel captures the essence of being alive in the present moment. It navigates through the landscapes of sex, friendship, memory, art, and politics, offering a unique perspective on the human experience in a world that feels increasingly uncertain.

Reviews
Harvard Review · 2015-04-17
intriguing 3.50

The novel is beautifully written but can come across as self-indulgent. It offers a deep dive into the author's artistic struggles.

The reviewer acknowledges the novel's beautiful writing but notes that it can feel self-indulgent at times. They appreciate the introspective journey of the protagonist, who is deeply engaged in understanding his own artistic purpose. This self-reflection makes the novel a compelling read, despite its occasional narcissistic tone. The reviewer finds value in the exploration of art and life, even if the narrative sometimes revolves too much around the author's personal struggles.

Quick quotes

    10:04 is a selfish work—250 beautifully written pages of Ben Lerner struggling to understand the artistic purpose of Ben Lerner.

    It aspires to make more meaningful connections between art and life; philosophy.

    The bleak comedy of overt, nefariously all-encompassing awareness is the territory Lerner occupies and covers so effectively.

The Guardian · 2015-01-04
brilliant 4.50

The prose is exceptional, even the novel's flaws are intriguing. The novel's exploration of art and life is both profound and engaging.

The reviewer is captivated by the prose, highlighting it as some of the best they've read recently. They appreciate the novel's depth and the way it blurs the lines between art and life. Even the parts that don't work are interesting, making the reading experience unique and thought-provoking. The novel's exploration of contemporary Manhattan and its inhabitants adds a layer of authenticity that resonates deeply.

Quick quotes

    It's the best two pages of prose I've read in a long while.

    Even the novel's missteps are interesting.

    A dazzling novel about the interplay of life and art in contemporary Manhattan.

The New York Times · 2014-09-05
profound 4.00

The novel feels significant due to its yearning and self-awareness. It is a profound exploration of contemporary life.

The reviewer finds the novel significant because of its deep yearning and self-awareness. They appreciate how the narrative is thoroughly inhabited by these qualities, making it a profound exploration of contemporary life. The novel's ability to capture the essence of modern existence and its struggles is commendable. The reviewer values the introspective and philosophical elements that make the reading experience both enriching and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    10:04 feels like a significant book because it is so thoroughly inhabited by this yearning, and so abjectly conscious of the ways in which it ...

    A stunning, urgent, and original novel from Ben Lerner about making art, love, and ...

    It is more than anything else a great New York novel, and I felt envy while reading it.

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