It was an entertaining read, but never moved much beyond a fairly typical procedural with fairly typical (sometimes stereotypical) characters. It also...moreIt was an entertaining read, but never moved much beyond a fairly typical procedural with fairly typical (sometimes stereotypical) characters. It also has some plot points that are a bit hard to swallow, even if we accept the pathology of the villain/villains. I did mostly enjoy the read, but can't recommend it too highly.(less)
I mostly enjoyed this novel, particularly the second half. The first half felt a bit disjointed ... interesting, but fragmented, but the strong finish...moreI mostly enjoyed this novel, particularly the second half. The first half felt a bit disjointed ... interesting, but fragmented, but the strong finish made it worthwhile. Gaiman is inspired by The Jungle Book and admits to the tension between wanting to write a collection of short stories on the one hand and to create a complete novel on the other, and I think this tension shows in the disjointed feel of the first half. As a novel, too many things are left unfinished or unanswered. I also wasn't sure what to make of "the Jacks." Most of the other fantastic elements had an understandable tradition in folklore or literature, but the Jacks, their quest, and Bod's destiny seemed somewhat random.(less)
I really enjoyed the first story in this collection ("1922"). The voice captured me, the setting was vivid, and the writing was quality. I was reminde...moreI really enjoyed the first story in this collection ("1922"). The voice captured me, the setting was vivid, and the writing was quality. I was reminded of King's earlier work in "The Body." If I'd stopped reading at that point, this would have been an easy four or five stars. However, the other three stories seemed stale--characters I couldn't quite believe moving through predictable plots--making it hard to suspend my disbelief, and therefore making it hard to invest in emotionally.(less)
Maybe it's the book's age showing, but I was disappointed in this novel. I think the "horror" that it is supposed to evoke has been dulled by the many...moreMaybe it's the book's age showing, but I was disappointed in this novel. I think the "horror" that it is supposed to evoke has been dulled by the many stories and movies that have played with similar themes, so that, in the end, the whole thing seems almost quaint.
Also, while I can't complain about the writing itself, the pacing is far too slow for my liking. I remember loving Tryon's The Other when I read it in college, and so I forced myself to finish this out of loyalty, but I did so by skimming and skipping my way to the end. Tryon spends a lot of time giving us details about who is doing what in the village, and about the narrator's time spent painting and sketching--which would be fine in small doses to add flavor and build character. However, it felt like the true "plot" of the book was sprinkled sparingly throughout the majority of the book and only really moved anything forward in the last section.
I think it would have made an excellent short story.(less)
I enjoyed the old-school language and pacing, and particularly appreciated the atmosphere developed throughout. A very effective old-fashioned ghost s...moreI enjoyed the old-school language and pacing, and particularly appreciated the atmosphere developed throughout. A very effective old-fashioned ghost story.(less)
I enjoyed the story for the most part, though the writing and/or translation felt a bit lacking and the resolution/explanation seemed a bit stretched,...moreI enjoyed the story for the most part, though the writing and/or translation felt a bit lacking and the resolution/explanation seemed a bit stretched, particularly given the build-up. I also found myself skimming large portions, particularly later in the novel, because the details on offer were neither particularly intriguing nor very helpful in advancing the plot. The novel does provide some minor insights into small-town German life at the time, but smaller problems (mainly with the language) make me question the accuracy of the depictions. Also, as others have noted, the hangman's daughter seems secondary to the story, so I'm not sure why she's given the title.(less)
It's an interesting holiday read (and nicely printed in the hardback or paperback edition), though I agree with some of the criticism that it can be a...moreIt's an interesting holiday read (and nicely printed in the hardback or paperback edition), though I agree with some of the criticism that it can be a bit dry in parts. Still, the story and delivery is engaging overall. Though not comprehensive on any of the subjects it addresses (it's a fairly slim book and a quick read), it not only develops the claim of the title, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much time it also devotes to Dickens's life, literary career, and struggles with the developing publishing industry. Even if you only have a passing interest in Dickens, it's well worth the read for the insights it offers, and you'll likely finish with a new respect for the man and his work.(less)
The writing is still uneven, as is Katniss's development, and the other characters remain fairly flat, despite the turmoil around them. Peeta changes,...moreThe writing is still uneven, as is Katniss's development, and the other characters remain fairly flat, despite the turmoil around them. Peeta changes, but given the circumstances, this can't really be called growth. However, the plot of the novel is more involved and better paced than the second novel, which helps obscure lapses in style, character, and progression. Finally, while the battle for the capitol felt anticlimactic, I have to admit that the final chapters of the novel were appropriately strong and satisfying.
Overall, I'm glad I completed the series, but the second novel dampened my enthusiasm and made it harder to enjoy the third. The first in the series is, by far, the superior of the three.(less)
The first novel made me care enough about what happens to Katniss to want to finish the series, and the story in the first was engaging. However, the...moreThe first novel made me care enough about what happens to Katniss to want to finish the series, and the story in the first was engaging. However, the second novel doesn't live up to the potential of the first. The major flaw, for me, is the lack of self-awareness of the main character. I found it difficult to believe Katniss could be as clueless about some of the relationships and events around her as she appeared to be, and this made it harder to believe her as a character, or to believe in her as a symbol or leader (as her role is clearly meant to be for both readers and the other characters). It's clear that Collins is trying to paint a strong but complex female lead, but instead, Katniss's selective blindness to events and their implications sometimes felt contrived for the sake of furthering the plot rather than the genuine expression of internal complexity.
Also, it's hard to feel concerned about the subplot of the Peeta/Gale love triangle, mainly because Katniss herself seems not to experience any great emotional turmoil about it. She thinks about it a lot, and weighs the pros and cons, but she mostly seems ambivalent about both of them and the emotional involvement in this choice seems pretty weak. It doesn't help that we know very little about Gale, and that Peeta is mostly just a very nice guy who happens to be great at painting and baking bread, but not much else.
The writing is also inconsistent, particularly as compared with the first novel. Perhaps some of that can be attributed to the more internal nature of this second story, which--as I suggest above--isn't handled as well as the external action. That, combined with many passages of summary, weaken the style.
Still, I read this in a matter of days, and continued to read despite my frustrations. I still want to know the conclusion, and I'm still hoping to see Katniss develop into a fully-realized character making choices about her life, rather than merely being directed by her circumstances. So, I'll read on to discover the conclusion, in hopes of an improved finish.(less)
I enjoyed the experimental nature of the structure, and I didn't find it to be experimentation merely for the sake of experimentation. It's more like...moreI enjoyed the experimental nature of the structure, and I didn't find it to be experimentation merely for the sake of experimentation. It's more like a collection of short stories, each with a different focus and approach, but each commenting on and developing characters and themes in the others. The writing is strong--some of the sections are beautiful, poignant, and insightful. And even though I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would like--partly due to the limited time spent on each, partly due to the added difficulty the form added to the hard task of letting a character grow in your mind--they still felt like they had lives of their own, of which I was offered a glimpse. There was humor in here, also, though overall the theme is a heavy one to carry through all of those sections: the hopeless--and hopelessly nostalgic--longing for what could have been and suffering over the ravages of time. Still, I applaud the language and the experimentation.(less)
I enjoyed the writing itself, more than most of the typical mystery novels I've read. I understand critiques that the story is a bit slow, but I was w...moreI enjoyed the writing itself, more than most of the typical mystery novels I've read. I understand critiques that the story is a bit slow, but I was willing to make that trade for more insights into some of the characters. I listened to this as an audiobook, so that may have helped carry me through (as the reading was well-done). Overall, a mystery with less plot and more character than the norm ... which I appreciated.(less)
Insightful and wise, the memoir provides a clear history for the development of the Writing Project as well as a roadmap for its future. Inspiring rea...moreInsightful and wise, the memoir provides a clear history for the development of the Writing Project as well as a roadmap for its future. Inspiring reading that's also immediately practical ... a rare combination.(less)
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