Rating: 
Summary: Spoiled, Vain and Self-absorbed Characters
Review: The book, Le Divorce, is well-written but this does not mean that I have even remotely enjoyed reading it. The spoiled, vain and self-absorbed characters are a complete distraction. I have found this book to be overly impressed with itself.
My vote, 2 Stars - take a pass on this one.
SAM
Rating: 
Summary: Pisses me off!
Review: This is a decently-written, interesting observation of social THOUGHT. I'm annoyed, however, that Isabel is such a twit- I know she's young, but she misses really obvious statements- sometimes she understands French & at others she doesn't, conveniently for the novelist. I suppose I am angry because I am at p. 270 and she has not acted with integrity or minimal foresight, which I expect from a character I'm intended to identify with. I don't need her to be perfect, but 1) absolutely, she needed to mention to Mrs. Pace the tureen photo, & at the point of the robbery, the over-interest of her compratiate. Especially after the (overt) scene in the bookstore. Yes, spoiled- Isabelle, Roxy, Suzanne, Edgar.. spoiled & selfish. Still a good read, but I'm pissed anyway. Which probably means it's a good book, since I'm engaged enough to write this review.
Rating:
Summary: Misses the Mark
Review: This novel, while entertaining, is very disappointing in three major areas: plot fufillment, character development, and comedic distraction.While the initial plot seems both feasible and intriguing, it does not completely progress and climax...instead it dwindles and incorporates many sub-plots that the author fails to adequately bring full circle. While this manner of writing can, in some instances, be thought provoking, all that this story does is to leave you with a bland taste in your mouth. By it's conclusion, I didn't even care about the defunct plot line. Characters are charming, but there is little to no resolution of their life stories, or their development AS PEOPLE. Conclusions seem perfunctory, as if the author had to find a way to just write them out of the story. I found this to be very disappointing. Thirdly, this book is described as "humorous," "charming," and "comical," yet it embodies none of these adjectives. While the dispute between the American and French families is a great screen on which to project how our differing societies mold our way of thinking, and the Bosnian situation provides a political venue, the constant comparison of French and American culture is ANYTHING but comical or humorous. There is a severe LACK of humor in this novel: not in the characters, the language, the tone, nor the subject. In conclusion, this is a mildly entertaining book (despite the over-use of several adjectives--"cupidity" being among the top few) requiring the use of a French dictionary, and leaving the reader rather disgusted at the avarice and dispassion of the characters. It's worth $14.00, but I would rather just see the movie (I think that is the first time that I have EVER said that.)
|
