This morning I finished Lowboy by John Wray (thanks again for the rec, Kristin) and my skin is still crawling. I didn't love this book-- I can't even say that I enjoyed it exactly, but it was compelling and it disturbed me in a way that I can't shake off. It's not a YA book, but it centers on a day in the life of a teenage schizophrenic who is on the loose in New York after going off his meds. It's chilling, very well done, and reads cinematically. It turned out to be the perfect, serendipitous co-read for Going Bovine, but I won't go into detail as to why.
I recently realized that, after all these (could it really be six?) years, I've never done much in the way of describing books when I write about them. I just jump into my reviews and remarks and either assume that anyone who reads this is already familiar with the titles or likes surprises as much as I do. But am I merely blind to how off-putting this might be? I'm not averse to changing my style up a little if any readers feel my posts could benefit from more background. Just something I'm pondering, and I'd definitely appreciate feedback on the matter if you're inclined to offer.
Happy St. Patrick's Day (have a Guinness for me), and though it's a few days early, I don't see any harm in wishing you a Happy Spring. I think that we in this part of the country deserve it after the biblical soaking we just got.
Written material copyright 2010 Dawn A. Emerman
I recently realized that, after all these (could it really be six?) years, I've never done much in the way of describing books when I write about them. I just jump into my reviews and remarks and either assume that anyone who reads this is already familiar with the titles or likes surprises as much as I do. But am I merely blind to how off-putting this might be? I'm not averse to changing my style up a little if any readers feel my posts could benefit from more background. Just something I'm pondering, and I'd definitely appreciate feedback on the matter if you're inclined to offer.
Happy St. Patrick's Day (have a Guinness for me), and though it's a few days early, I don't see any harm in wishing you a Happy Spring. I think that we in this part of the country deserve it after the biblical soaking we just got.
Written material copyright 2010 Dawn A. Emerman
Glad you appreciated Lowboy. I didn't love it either, but definitely admired it, and how it put his protagonist in the company of great historical young crazies like Holden, Hamlet and Raskolnikov. Plus sexuality, plus coming of age, plus global warming and mental illness. It's a heady mix that he didn't quite pull off, but memorable and worth reading, I thought.
Posted by: Girl Detective | March 17, 2010 at 08:14 PM
I'd say that adding more from or about the books would be helpful for me to relate, but I don't feel that it's absolutely necessary. I like reading your reviews regardless.
Posted by: jenne | April 01, 2010 at 10:26 PM
I like your style (find writing synopsis dul myself, but I do it because everyone else seems to).
Posted by: Jodie | April 29, 2010 at 04:09 AM