TTTTAlice
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Secret Writers Business - by TTTT
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96 Posts dating from December 2007
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Writers In Writing (and other writing)
I am also a big fan of Alice Sebold and waited in anticipation for The Almost Moon. I love the title (and it's explanation in the book) but I also had trouble empathising with the main character. I did not like the ending at all and I felt an itching irritation when I was done with it.
Saying that, I did think the scene on the front lawn where the child-Helen has to face the angry mob of fathers on her mother's behalf really heartbreaking. The weakness of both of her parents really pissed me off.
It is hard when you love an author to then accept a less-than perfect offering. I loved Cormac McCarthy's The Road with a passion but couldn't handle No Country For Old Men (although the film is supposedly magnificent).
And on a more comical note (?) - I care for my mother who is disabled following a stroke - she has a fabulous sense of humour- and while I was reading The Almost Moon I kept saying to her, "Mum, if you knew the book I was reading right now you would watch your step!!" Every time I visited her I shared a little of Helen's life with her. Rest assured she found it very funny! We have the sort of bond that allows for inappropriate jokes!!
Jayne
It's amazing what sort of a bond you have with your mum - so sorry to hear about her stroke. She is really blessed to have you to take care of her. I have a disabled sister, who is deaf, who when we all argue, turns her hearing aids off!
I'm sorry I didn't like The Almost Moon more. Also because I feel intensely disloyal being critical of someone who is so talented and brilliant (have you read Sebold's autobiography Lucky about being raped when she was 18? It is heart-breaking).
Lionel Shriver's, We Need to Talk About Kevin is again for me, a work of unparalleled brilliance. But The Post-Birthday World was... not. Some great lines in it, some beautiful prose, but it was just so long... and at times, wearying (she did tend to go on and on about snooker).
Anyway, I always hope for kind-hearted and generous reviews of my books, so it makes it even harder for me to be critical of my literary heroes.
Alice - I love you. Please write another book. I will always read you.
Jayne, thanks for your lovely response.
Jo
Celebrity Obsession
I'm with you. If I find the main character to be unlikeable I really struggle with the book.
I must read The Lovely Bones again. I thought it was a great book when I read it, but I haven't re-read it. I think I'll do that this weekend (going to crappy weather, what better way to spend a Sundy than sitting on the couch re-reading a great book)
Kylie
Writers In Writing (and other writing)
I haven't read Lucky but it's absolutely on my list and now I must bump it up a bit.
How funny you should mention Lionel Shriver. I loved Kevin so desperately and read Double Fault straight after. I perservered because I loved her work but it was also a bit tedious with the tennis and all. I have just started The Post-Birthday World so shall see how I go.
It's true though, sometimes you just have to take in the moments of brilliance and accept the feet of clay!
And I guess we can take the advice of Irina in The Post-Birthday World
"Irina was convinced that what went on in her mind mattered, and silently cast strangers in the gentlest possible light...internal generosity made her feel better."
Read 'other authors' for 'strangers'.
But then what do we do about Jodie Piccoult??
Jayne
Jayne, I have to say I am TOTALLY envious of Jodi Picoult - she has cleverly come up with a formula that has made her a multi-millionaire - so my little snipes are really just sour grapes. I wish all authors success, (some more than others - Sebold, for example... ) I just don't read Jodi Picoult. I feel like I'm being manipulated as a reader, do you know what I mean? And her endings always feel contrived. Like she's laughing while playing with my emotions as she reveals some horrible ha-ha! at the end. In any event, people do love her, they buy her, and what the public loves and buys, I guess we should try to write..? or starve.
Howdy Raven. Thanks for popping by. How's life your side of the planet? I even got my husband to read THe Lovely Bones and Lucky and he was blown away too - so Sebold is not just for the girls. You may enjoy her too...?
Jo