The Sleepers is a unique story about messy relationships, blurred identities and the contradiction between desires and values.
The book was initially difficult for me to get into , partly because of the long chapters until the story unravels and we get to know the characters.

I need to say though that I love stories set in New York with a diverse set of characters.
If you are on the search for character driven stories with focus on the human experience, this is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Arcade for am ARC of this book!

“The Sleepers” chronicles a brief period of time for 4 people living in New York. As the narrative develops, their lives intersect and change. Through each character’s choices and plot, the reader gets clued in to the disconnect between beliefs and action.

Ultimately, I thought that the plot of this book was quite effective, but the writing style was disjointed and flat. I found that the flow from character to character was a little broken, which took me out of the reading experience.

DNF @ 33%

I really tried to get on with this one, but it got to the point that I knew I was pushing through just because it's a short book, even though I wasn't enjoying myself. I definitely related a lot to Mariko's inner thoughts. I found the second chapter (Mariko's) to be very stressful, the way her and Dan were communicating (or failing to communicate) and it made me really anxious! I think the chapters are far too long for me, if it were shorter segments of their failure to communicate effectively it may have landed better for me. But being immersed in it would certainly work great for some!

The Sleepers by Matthew Gasda follows the lives of four intersecting New Yorkers. We are introduced to Akari, a cinematographer, her sister Mariko, a struggling actor, and her husband Dan, an acclaimed professor. The central storyline revolves around these three main characters as they confront the collapse of their social identities.

Starting off, I found this tricky to get into. There are very long chapters (some over an hour) but I actually enjoyed these as you really have time to bond with and understand each character and their individual struggles and motivations.

The novel is composed greatly of deep, intricate prose and Gasda is nothing short of masterful in his observation of human behaviour. I found these insights painfully relatable, with an uncanny ability to capture the human experience with striking accuracy. Certain excerpts left me with an overwhelming sense of dread but in a ‘Wow how did you read my mind I can’t believe someone has articulated my darkest thoughts’ kind of way. People that live in their head and overthink everything and pick apart each moment of their life will really enjoy this and feel seen. Very existential but very poignant.

I did find the main focus to kind of fall to Dan and Mariko and would’ve liked to hear more about Akari but overall it was still very good. If character driven books aren’t your thing, I would definitely give this a miss but if they are, then this is a real gem.

Thank you to NetGalley and SkyHorse Publishing for my ARC.

Matthew Gasda’s The Sleepers is a captivating exploration of memory, identity, and the blurred lines between dreams and reality. Gasda’s writing style is both poetic and raw, weaving intricate layers of emotion that draw readers into a world where the boundaries between waking and sleeping often dissolve.

The story centers around the lives of its complex characters, who grapple with both their internal and external worlds in profound ways. The author’s keen observations of human nature are evident in his portrayal of the quiet struggles and emotional tensions that define the everyday lives of his characters. What stands out is Gasda’s ability to take seemingly mundane moments and imbue them with significance, creating a narrative that is as much about self-discovery as it is about the passage of time.

The pacing of The Sleepers is deliberate, allowing for reflection on the themes of the book. Some readers may find the slow buildup rewarding, while others might wish for a quicker narrative, but the overall effect is one of quiet contemplation. The novel’s dreamlike quality gives it an otherworldly feel, often leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is imagined.

In The Sleepers, Gasda expertly navigates the complexities of human connection, the fragility of memory, and the unknowable paths we travel in our subconscious. This book will resonate with anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human psyche and the quiet, yet powerful, forces that shape our lives.

this story was very unique to me, i requested it cause it was set in my city. the novel dissects the contradictions between identity, ambition, and desire. set in New York’s cultural and intellectual circles, it follows four characters whose carefully curated lives start to unravel in ways they never expected.

Dan, a leftist academic and blogger, risks his career and credibility for an affair with his student. his partner, Mariko, a struggling actor, reconnects with an old flame—her dying mentor and former director. meanwhile, Mariko’s sister, Akari, a cinematographer visiting from LA, navigates a volatile relationship with a younger woman *SO MUCH DRAMA* so, the four of them chases success and fulfillment, yet all find themselves caught in self-deception, compromising the ideals they claim to uphold.

prose is sleek and unflinching, pulling the reader into the emotional turbulence of characters who are both deeply flawed and painfully real. there's no moralizing here—just an honest, razor-sharp look at a generation torn between the personas they project and the messy, complicated realities they live. it was a very thought-provoking read—one that lingers long after the final page. the author delivers a striking meditation on ambition, self-delusion, and the weight of our choices in a world that demands both authenticity and performance.

4 stars. writing was beautiful.

This felt like an "artsy" read to me. I enjoyed it! It was full of interesting characters and I liked seeing how they developed throughout the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

**The Sleepers** by Matthew Gasda is a novel that explores the intertwined lives of thirty-somethings in New York City from 2016 to 2019. The main characters include Dan, a professor and writer; his partner Mariko, a struggling actress; and her sister Akari, a cinematographer. The novel primarily focuses on themes of relationships and identity.

With knife sharp, authenticity, and wit, Gasda provides an almost documentary-like portrayal of these individuals. The narrative immerses us in their lives over a few summer days and nights, offering insights into their inner thoughts. These inner monologues reveal a disconnect between who they truly are, who they aspire to be, and how others perceive them. The strain of navigating evolving relationships and the sensation of being stuck or in limbo as time passes is palpable. Gasda delves into the narratives we create about ourselves and each other along with the complexities of life.

I was genuinely impressed with Gasda’s storytelling abilities; it was both engaging and relatable. It captures a kind of disillusioned coming-of-age experience meets a pre-mid-life crisis, set against the backdrop of a country undergoing a significant cultural shift and identity transformation.

Fans of Oisin McKenna, Sally Rooney, CoCo Mellors, or Edward Albee might find this novel appealing. I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing | Arcade for the ARC.