Saturday, February 13, 2010

Robert Goolrick: A Reliable Wife

So, this is my grown-up women's (no men have shown up--yet) book club. The first book I forgot to read (though I am glad, I don't think I'd have liked it), but I read this one.

Maybe I should have reversed it?

Goolrick can't write.
He overuses appositive phrases, uses "you" at random moments (which is beyond annoying), and since the text takes place in the EARLY 1900s, terms like "Gold Digger" (a la Kayne West) and "Holy Rollers" do not belong.

The story could have been really awesome--great premise--man places ad in paper for a "reliable wife," woman answers ad (lies and deceit abound), and she plans on killing him; he, on the other hand, has other plans for her.

The style takes away from the story and about mid-way through the book, I decided I had to finish it as a challenge to myself, no matter how much I hated the writing, the characters, or the plot.

I AM looking forward to our meeting on the 27th--so far no one likes it. :) It should be an awesome conversation!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Laurie Halse Anderson: Catalyst

I bought this book when it first was released. I just finished it this week. I bought enough copies to have a lit circle group for it, and I am really glad that I did.

This was a well-written text. Set in the same high school that Speak took place. Melinda even makes an appearance.

Kate is an interesting character, but she does confound me. I don't understand why she has to be so stubborn and live in such denial of the truth.

Her father is annoying and static, but I know why he has to be that way.

But the ending is VERY disappointing. There are enough twists and a couple of shockers, but the end of the book really left me bummed out.

I felt more closure and relief and belief in the ending of Speak. BUT, if it weren't for the ending, this would be one of my top YA books. But it's not.