Today, I started reading Jennifer Egan's "A Visit From the Goon Squad," and so far it's pretty disappointing. The description of the story on the book jacket made me want to read it, but two chapters into the novel, I'm ready to give up.
The first chapter is about the main female character and the second chapter is about the main male character. Maybe I just need to keep reading, but in their introductory chapters I have seen absolutely no redeeming qualities for either of these people. The writer has given me no reason to care what happens to them, other than to see how much more of a mess they make of their lives.
However, the most frustrating issue that I have with this book is the way the writer meanders in and out of the scene. She keeps hopping around in time with both characters flashing back to various memories, including several different sessions they had with their therapists. I can't figure out if I'm in the present or the past and I can't remember where the scene she started writing left off when she brings me back to it.
It seems like my brain shouldn't have to work THAT hard to follow along. But, maybe it's just me. The writer did find an agent to represent her and a publisher to print her book, so she must've done something right. Does that mean I should keep reading and see if it gets any better?
On a happier note, I finished reading Helen Simonson's "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" last night and it was really good. Supremely well-written with characters that I cared deeply about, with a satisfying ending. After reading something that good, it's hard to start in on a book that's less well-written. I might just get back on my YA kick and read Laurie Halse Anderson's "Wintergirls" instead.
No comments:
Post a Comment