Rating: Summary: A Density of Souls stimulates the soul!! Review: Christopher Rice's first novel is an amazing work. I found his characters, although somewhat stereotypical at times to be enthralling and deep. I felt for them, even the antagonists. I would recommend this book to anyone. Although some people have complained about the homosexual love scenes, I found them not at all bad, no more worse then what someone would read in another book about a heterosexual couple. And since the novel strives to show us this society in it's completeness, then they must display everything, it would be hipocritical for Rice to sensor out those sex scenes which may be offensive. All in all Rice displays that he is a very talented person, and the novel, which I couldn't put down and read in a day, was deeply emotional and stimulating to the mind and the soul.
Rating: Summary: Nepotism at its worst Review: I am surprised by the number of good reviews this book received. The characters were poorly developed and the storyline was disjointed and melodramatic. The topic of teen homosexuality is a fascinating and important one, but Rice's book does it a grave disservice. In addition, his characterization of life in New Orleans bowed to so many stereotypes that I, as a native New Orleanian, felt I should have a mint julep in one hand and a feathered fan in the other. Ugh. Pass on this stinker.
Rating: Summary: Great First Novel!!! Review: I thought that this book was an excellent read. I became an instant fan! It has a wonderful storyline. Rice delved into each personality wonderfully; which is hard to do with so many important characters in one novel. I found the book impossible to put down. I found myself holding my breath at many points during this book. Absolutely titilating. I am anxiously awaiting his next one!
Rating: Summary: Riviting Review: Thenovel was compelling and well written. I was drawn to it by an article in Teen People. I purchased it, and the next day I was finished. I could never put the book down. I recommended the book to several others and all have loved it as much as I had. I have read it 3 times since I purchased it. Rice does an amazing job in his first novel and I hope there are many more to come.
Rating: Summary: (3.5) What's in a name?....... entertainment Review: Apparently, there's a lot in a name if we're considering Christopher Rice, the novelist-son of Ann Rice. This new author cuts his own slice of territory, and is a young writer to watch, his style reminiscent of early (read: good) Dean Koontz. Although the critics are harsh on the characters and plot, Rice, nevertheless, has his finger directly on the pulse of young America New Orleans-style. The main characters personify the mystique of New Orleans from their names to their Southern familial complexities. The four friends, Greg, Brandon, Stephen and Meredith, may only be thirteen at the beginning of the story, but that year's events impact all of their young lives. This group of four ultimately splinters as Stephen Conlin is outcast from the others, labeled "fag". (There is an interesting juxtaposition between the jocks and their admirers, the need for accolades of physical prowess.) As the only female, Meredith choses sides with Brandon and Greg and the die is cast, although Greg is often violent towards her. Years and family tragedies pass with lasting effects on the survivors. Stephen comes to terms with his homosexuality, but there is still a sense of threat from the long-missing Brandon. Only three of the original four remain, but now Meredith is inclined to re-establish connections with Stephen, feeling protective of her former friend. When Stephen's lover is caught in a bomb explosion meant to include Stephen, the relationships become complex, involving parents, siblings, violence and grief. Some critics have skewered the unbelieveability of the plot, but the fact remains that Rice's story moves along at a healthy pace, believable or not, and all his characters achieve resolution. Although the remaining three do seem sophisticated for their youth, the world they inhabit is, in fact, more knowledgeable, if not jaded. I certainly wouldn't discount this talented young writer. A DENSITY OF SOULS kept my interest more than some I've read lately, and I finished it with the satisfaction of a well-told story, anticipating Christopher Rice's evolution as a novelist.
Rating: Summary: A Density of Wisdom Review: What a magnificent achievement! A Density of Souls is the finest first effort I have read since To Kill a Mockingbird. Christopher Rice weaves a fascinating tale with masterful prose. I literally could not put this book down. I was bound to the characters, wondering what their secrets held. And they are powerful secrets!
Rating: Summary: Housecleaning... Review: Houscleaning...! Once I picked this book up I couldn't set it down. It was a wonderful, if tragic, story of what gay teens go through everyday in our country. The characters were flawed to a point of realism. I loved the small town politics and how the story is unfolded over the stretch of the book. Wonderful book, and I must say the young Mr. Rice will now share shelf space in my book collection. I hope he writes another and soon.
Rating: Summary: Density of Souls Review: This book was an excellent book. It touched me and made me feel compassion towards the characters and I would recomend this book to anyone who is struggling with their own sexuality. I am a straight female and i have many gay friends and i was the first to buy this book after i read it i had a better understanding of their lives and thier hardships. I think this book is wonderful and i can't wait to read his next. Thank You Christopher Rice for giving be a better view of the world and my best friends.
Rating: Summary: A piece of this authors soul Review: Unlike many poorly written, garbled books on the market today A Density of souls creates a thrilling, passionate tale of love, lose, and friendship. While many biggoted, close-minded reviewers may only see this book as the porn stories of gay men this book is really about real life. It contains a piece of every person on the planet. Christopher Rice put a piece of himself in this book, but he also included a piece of everyone.
Rating: Summary: Vivid, honest, and well told. Review: I was one of many people completely prepared not to like this book. Hearing that Anne Rice's son had written a novel set in New Orleans I assumed the worst, that it would be an amaturish attempt only published on the strength of his last name. Reluctantly reading it while down with the flu last week I was more pleasantly surprised than I'd been a book in an awfully long time, probably since I'd discovered that Anne Rice's books, which I figured had to be over-hyped actually WERE that good. I was completely mesmerized after the first few pages. Reveiws that I've read saying that the charcters or storyline are undeveloped are highly unfair. I was surprised at how many of the small details mentioned throughout the book actually become important aspects of the story. I couldn't put it down. Read it and see for yourself.
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