CanadianReader’s review of Brawler > Likes and Comments
19 likes · Like
I did not like Fates and Furies. Matrix worked better for me, but I have also been reluctant to return to Groff.
David wrote: "I did not like Fates and Furies. Matrix worked better for me, but I have also been reluctant to return to Groff."
I appreciate that, David. It’s weird: you can know a writer is technically proficient, but there is just no magic. It’s cliché to say this but I’ll say it nevertheless: reading is such a personal, individual thing. The stories here seem like writing exercises to me, going through the motions. Many metaphors seemed forced and off-kilter, showy, trying to be clever, rather than illuminating.
I tried to like this review 3x..... I'm afraid I am going to now just give up.
Caroline wrote: "I tried to like this review 3x..... I'm afraid I am going to now just give up."
Oh, Caroline. Don’t even worry: there’s little to like about it!
I have to say, though, I too have encountered that problem.
there is something about Groff’s writing that keeps me focused on one thought as I read along, and the thought is “this is very written writing.” The sentences feel well constructed, but not vital, not connected with anything either real or even fictionally real. I’m left in a weird limbo of admiring the language but not caring about the meaning. It’s disorienting.
♑︎♑︎♑︎ wrote: "there is something about Groff’s writing that keeps me focused on one thought as I read along, and the thought is “this is very written writing.” The sentences feel well constructed, but not vital,..."
Spot on. A disconnect.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
David
(new)
Apr 12, 2026 06:50AM
I did not like Fates and Furies. Matrix worked better for me, but I have also been reluctant to return to Groff.
reply
|
flag
David wrote: "I did not like Fates and Furies. Matrix worked better for me, but I have also been reluctant to return to Groff."I appreciate that, David. It’s weird: you can know a writer is technically proficient, but there is just no magic. It’s cliché to say this but I’ll say it nevertheless: reading is such a personal, individual thing. The stories here seem like writing exercises to me, going through the motions. Many metaphors seemed forced and off-kilter, showy, trying to be clever, rather than illuminating.
I tried to like this review 3x..... I'm afraid I am going to now just give up.
Caroline wrote: "I tried to like this review 3x..... I'm afraid I am going to now just give up."Oh, Caroline. Don’t even worry: there’s little to like about it!
I have to say, though, I too have encountered that problem.
there is something about Groff’s writing that keeps me focused on one thought as I read along, and the thought is “this is very written writing.” The sentences feel well constructed, but not vital, not connected with anything either real or even fictionally real. I’m left in a weird limbo of admiring the language but not caring about the meaning. It’s disorienting.
♑︎♑︎♑︎ wrote: "there is something about Groff’s writing that keeps me focused on one thought as I read along, and the thought is “this is very written writing.” The sentences feel well constructed, but not vital,..."Spot on. A disconnect.
