'The Book Thief'. Hmmmm. I think I am about halfway on it. I love the narrator (Death), I love the little device (headings and 'pronouncements'), I like the flow, the setting ... but I don't feel close to or intensely interested in any of the characters, not even the book thief herself. So I read a little more every night, but it has not been one of those books that I couldn't put down. But I would still recommend it because it is really well-written and I think my response is subjective. More comments when I finish it (and it's a large book).
In the meantime I am still reading writing books for my classes this year. At the moment it's the one on short story writing by Damon Knight. Lots of good advice. I have about 6 to go, but there aren't many that focus just on short fiction.
No writing. I am resting and becoming good friends with my new air conditioner (because it's very hot here at the moment) and hoping the bush fires get put out really soon.
I write crime fiction for adults and books for young readers. I read, mostly crime fiction, but also lots of other things. I work as a freelance editor and manuscript critiquer. If I review books, it's from the perspective of a writer.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Compelling first lines make a big difference
People can often quote famous opening sentences from novels. They ring in the ears, with rhythm, intrigue and portent. “It was the best of...
-
Lee Child, Fiona Veitch Smith, Linda Mather, Sherryl Clark (c) Sherryl Clark 2025 When I knew I was going to Europe, which initially was t...
-
Where else would you start a series of posts about Beginnings except Day 1? Seriously though, I'd like to offer a range of ideas, advice...
-
In the way that these things sometimes do, writers who have decided to stop writing has come up as a topic several times in the past few mon...
1 comment:
Interesting. What do you mean by well-written? I often find his metaphors inept and forced, even trite: 'eyes the colour of agony'! Only one of many examples. And figurative language ought not be used like a pepper mill - oh yes, nothing yet on this page, time to grind and sprinkle.
However, I certainly don't mean to imply that there's nothing to appreciate in Zusak's work.
Post a Comment