Mania

What Mania is about

In this satirical novel, a social movement sets out to end prejudice against people of low intelligence. Pearson Converse grew up in a Jehovah's Witness family in 1970s Pennsylvania, rebelled against the sect, and left home as a teenager to live with the Ruth family. She becomes close friends with their daughter Emory, goes to college, becomes an English professor, and raises a family of her own.

By the 2010s, the Mental Parity movement is attacking the advantages given to the clever and demanding what it calls cognitive justice. Schools drop grades, anyone can practise medicine, and Sherlock and The Big Bang Theory are cancelled. Pearson's son is sent home for calling a classmate's T-shirt stupid, and she herself gets into trouble over a Dostoevsky novel. Emory, meanwhile, finds the new movement good for her career, and the two friends drift apart. Sharp and provocative, it looks at intelligence, censorship, and friendship under pressure, with viewpoints from across the political spectrum.

Questions about Mania

When was Mania published?

Mania by Lionel Shriver was first published in 2024.

Was Mania one of the best books of 2024?

Mania is #22 on BookWard's Best Books of 2024, out of 34 2024 books that cleared our data bar. 300 readers have shelved it on Open Library; its Wikipedia page averaged 1,950 views a month recently.

Why is Mania on the Best Books of 2024 list?

300 readers have shelved it on Open Library; its Wikipedia page averaged 1,950 views a month recently.

More of the best books of 2024

• Wind and Truth Brandon Sanderson, #1
• The Let Them Theory Mel Robbins, #2
• The Tainted Cup Robert Jackson Bennett, #3
• Lights Out Navessa Allen, #4
• The Women Kristin Hannah, #5
• Funny Story Emily Henry, #6

See the full Best Books of 2024, the Top 100, or new books on Rising.