blonde book club launch.

[david3103]

I was disappointed by this. It set off with great promise and the concept of the mulit-piece of art discovered in an empty apartment gave it a twist. But after that...

I found the characterisation to be somewhat poor and the cheap cracks about what is and what isn't modern art felt out of place.

The use of the double narrative helped to keep interest in the plot but there was no sense of feeling connected to any character other than the retired cop whose name I can't recall(not that connected then!)

Was the New York setting in any way symbolic? I don't think so, it could, as easily, have been set in London. Probably would have been if it had been written by Jeffrey Archer. Or Rome if by Dan Brown.

Overall, I'm glad I finished it.

[Colchester Kev]

Differing opinions are great, dont be afraid to say you hated it.

I liked the old cop too ... He came across as a tough fella, but fair and upstanding.

I really enjoyed the book as i have said, I felt the interlude chapters were superb, it was the authors way of gently releasing the history of the family and their hidden secrets, without fracturing the flow of the story through Ethans eyes.

I hope the book club thrives, because it means picking up books that you would normally ignore ... that can only be a good thing.

[david3103]

Differing opinions are great, dont be afraid to say you hated it.

I liked the old cop too ... He came across as a tough fella, but fair and upstanding.

I really enjoyed the book as i have said, I felt the interlude chapters were superb, it was the authors way of gently releasing the history of the family and their hidden secrets, without fracturing the flow of the story through Ethans eyes.

I hope the book club thrives, because it means picking up books that you would normally ignore ... that can only be a good thing.

+1

[cdw1111]

   Well i read the book last month and found it quite dull.The lead character never "grabbed me" and i struggled to imagine how the artwork could have such a dramatic effect on on him and those around him.The arrival of the interludes added a little interest but you could immediately see which path the storyline was going along.I barely remember some of the minor characters as the book hasn't lived with me,however it was far from terrible.

[Bongo]

There were a few points of interest but I agree with cdw on the whole.

Probably not helped by having just read "everything is illuminated" which had a similar investigation-interlude-omg they're related type thing going on.

[Colchester Kev]

Time for a new book then ??


I pick Phatomch to choose it ... when his is done, he will select the next person... and so on.

[Eck]

Got this for my train journey couple of weeks ago and must admit i struggled with it from the beginning. It was easy enough read and he kept it moving along okay but never really got into any of the characters. The flashbacks i felt began to become far too long winded and somewhat unnecessary in it's detail. I still haven't finished it but will though don't hold out a lot of faith that it will surprise me in any way.

Will try to post again if i get it finished as i do tend to leave books unfinished if i don't reallly get into them.

[gatso]

the ultimate test of a novel imo is the simple question 'would I read something else by the same author?'

the answer in this case is a resounding NOOOOO

[Bongo]

Time for a new book then ??


I pick Phatomch to choose it ... when his is done, he will select the next person... and so on.

bump...

[phatomch]

sorry been meaning to do this , but my grandad has been very ill in the hdu unit of local hospital for the last week so been there or at work everyday, going into town on Tuesday so will pick up the book then.

[Claw75]

sorry been meaning to do this , but my grandad has been very ill in the hdu unit of local hospital for the last week so been there or at work everyday, going into town on Tuesday so will pick up the book then.

hope he's on the mend soon x

[phatomch]

New book for this month, it's not the one i wanted but sounds like a good read anyway.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Tiger-Aravind-Adiga/dp/1843547228?&camp=2486&linkCode=wsw&tag=blondepoker-21&creative=8942


   
 

 
 
 
 

[thetank]

That won the Booker prize last year.

[phatomch]

oh and make sure you use the blonde linky thing, feel free to change my link over any mods..

[Bongo]

I've editted the code, I bought a new hard back for £4.75 (inc p&p) from the amazon market place.

Hopefully it will come by the time I've finished Cold Comfort Farm.