The Last Samurai (Helen DeWitt, 2000)

Unusual for me; I voluntarily selected current/modern fiction.  This one was based on recommendations I had spotted from at least two sources I trusted, or thought I could.  I also saw that this book shows up on "best novel" lists.

But I didn't like it very much.  530 pages and I didn't dog ear a single one.

I was constantly thinking that the author is saying "look at me, see how clever I am!"  Which I found annoying (or maybe threatening, she clearly does know lots and lots of stuff).

Ludo - main character - is a child genius.  His mother - Sibylla - clearly highly intelligent but for some reason (sort of explained) prefers to work as a typist.  So they live in poverty.

We know who Ludo's father is, but he doesn't.  Much of the plot revolves around his efforts to find a father.

Title of the book refers to the movie, The Seven Samurai, which Sibylla (and in turn Ludo) watch constantly, and turn to for guidance, or something.