This month, I read only one book. June is not looking like it will go much better. Hopefully when July comes, I will get some more reading in.
The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clark: *** 3.5 Stars. This second book by the author of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was an excellent little read. Broken up into short stories, this book more broadly explores the world laid out in Clark's first novel. It starts out a bit slow, so lit loses points for pacing. But as the story moves forward, the reader is reminded of what makes Clark's writing so fantastic: Her attention to detail. She sets many chapters as historical documents, which helps to make the world more believable. It's a nice companion to the first novel, and the tones of the two pieces are very similar.
If I have reservations about the book, they are that I think she is perhaps more of a novel writer than a short story writer. I saw these more as possible lead-ins to other, future novels. Additionally, as I said, the pacing was a little off. They felt a little more like chapters and a little less like short stories. As a result, the conclusions were slightly unsatisfying in some cases.
On the whole, I would say that the pacing issues are not a major problem, and this book is a great read, though it is probably more of a "chick pick" (notice how I did not slay flick because it is not a movie.) I enjoyed it a great deal, so thank you to 10 who sent it for Christmas and pick it up at the library if you have some spare time for reading.
Posted by LoWriter at June 7, 2007 09:39 AMisnt the term "chick lit"? :o)
i FINALLY finished Until I Find You by John Irving. 850+ pages of tedious details. definitely not one of Irving's stronger novels. it's filled with shock value (which is a switch from his usual "bizzare happenings") and gratuitous detail. i didnt realize until 2/3 through the book WHY there was so much detail. in my opinion, this "detail" should have been divulged a lot earlier. Spoiler alert: it's written in chronological order (starting with 4 year old Jack Burns and ending with 37 year old Jack Burns), in complete detail which mirrors Jack's therapy sessions later in life (he starts therapy at 33).
Perhaps i shouldnt be so hard on a book that i spent 2 months trekking through. but it's my opinion that if i'm going to spend that much time on a novel, i'm going to be completely wowed by it. i was VERY wowed by Salmon Rushdie's Ground Beneath Her Feet (also 800+ pages and a 2 month read). i guess this is my fault. i felt guilted into reading this one.
i hate that i have to finish books. i dont think i've ever abandoned a novel. sigh... so, chalk one up to experience...
Posted by: dr gonzo at June 7, 2007 10:59 AMI have abandoned two novels that I can think of. Midnight's Children and another one that I can't remember. The one that I can't remember is technically a collection of short stories, and I'd barely started Midnight's Children. I too have a difficult time abandoning a book, though I have often left a book to sit (which is what I think I'm doing with Midnight's Children) and come back to it in a few years when I've grown up a little.
Sometimes, you come back to a book, and you're a different person in a different place who's now ready to hear what the book has to say.
It's a curse not to be able to abandon characters. I can't walk out of movies for this very reason.
Posted by: Lo at June 7, 2007 11:38 AMYes the term is 'chick lit!' :-)
Again, being on the train is good for my reading life.
Stately Pursuits by Katie Fforde
Cute, modern romance where the girl goes to help her aging distant relative fix up his stately manor and meets his heir and... It's a cute tale and highly enjoyable fluff. Talk about Chick Lit!
Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls by Jane Lindskold
Liked it, reviewed it on the website as it was the book of the month.
Aerie by Mercedes Lackey
Solid, interesting read. Fourth in the Dragon series that Lackey is writing. I do think this should be the end of the series though.
Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne
Just not as good as the earlier novel Little Lady Agency. Cute, but trodden before.
Life Skills by Katie Fforde
Not as good as Stately Pursuits. Cute and entertaining.
The Prophecy by Hilari Bell
Interesting Juvenile Lit, strong fairy tale. Took me about an hour to read, so light on the prose style.
The Eyre Affair by Jaspar Fforde
All of my lit friends should read this book. Seriously, you'll like it! Solid references for Jane Eyre and Dickens, among others, and strong writing style. Great SciFi!
Now, onto Potter!!
Posted by: 10lees at June 7, 2007 11:09 PMChicks pick chick lit.
Posted by: Lo at June 8, 2007 10:44 PM