Monday, July 18, 2005

Just curious...

So I bought my fab daughter a copy of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. (She loved Bram Stoker's Dracula so I thought she'd enjoy this, too.) Okay, she took it back! She said, "Mama, I read 35 pages and it sucked." I was planning on reading it after she was finished - but now I think I might just wait for the inevitable movie. Have any of you guys read it? Was her "it sucked" review just an 18 year old reaction? Or does it truly suck?

Opinions?

PC

18 comments:

moonhart said...

PC,

I haven't read it, but there has been some discussion of it on another loop that I am on. Several people said that the first 1/3 is slow going, but it picks up significantly after that.

Of course, I don't have that kind of time (or patience.)

;)

moon

PC Cast said...

Yeah, why would I want to wade through the beginning of a book when there are so many books that are a pleasure to read from page one?!

PC

Jeri said...

I'm something like 25th on the waiting list at the library to read it. If it's so slow, I worry that I won't get through it in 3 weeks by the time it's due again.

I used to feel guilty for not finishing books. Not anymore--life's too short!

PC Cast said...

Jeri - my daughter and I were just talking about the 'to finish or not to finish' issue. When I was younger (like up into my 20s) I always always finished every book I started. That has definitely changed. If I'm not totally into it by half way, then I put it down and don't pick it up again. This probably says more about me as a woman than the books themselves. In general, I hate wasting my time on anything I'm not passionate about. And why should I? There are way too many wonderful things (and books!) in life which do evoke my passion and interest and humor, etc., to settle. Of course, this is playing hell with my dating life...let's just say I've left a lot of them unread!

moonhart said...

LOL!

PC! I sooo wanna be you!

Really. Vicariously living through PC.

moon

Eva Gale said...

Oh man am I bummed. I just bought it in hopes that the hype was true. Movie rights and all you know. OK, lemme finish the oldie but goodie I'm on (tonight) and I'll have a look. Kushiel's is way good, I promise.

PC Cast said...

Briana - please give The Historian a go. I'd love to know what you think.

I think I'll stick with Kushiel - the world building alone has me hooked.

Jeri said...

PC, I encourage you to stick with Kushiel's Dart. It seems like a long book, but it moves fast, and it's just Amazing. I didn't think I would like it but had to see what the fuss was about. It probably took me 100 pages to start loving it and the main character, but from then on I was chained to the book. Strangely enough, I haven't felt compelled to read the sequels yet. But then I'm not really a series reader--get bored too easily.

PC Cast said...

Jeri - your recommendation alone is enough to make me want to stay with the book!

Did I mention that I use the first chapter of Requiem when I teach development of the novel classes as an example of how to draw a reader into a book?

For those of you who haven't yet - READ REQUIEM FOR THE DEVIL BY JERI SMITH-READY. I give you my word that you will thank me for turning you on to that FAB book. Jeri will make you love love love Lucifer. MOON?? WHERE ARE YOU, GIRL? You'd adore this book.

moonhart said...

Oh? Really? I would love this book?

(moon takes out her notebook and scribbles the name down)

Okay PC. I am taking your word for it. As soon as I return from WDW, I'll go hunt it down.

If I like it as much as you say I will, I shall gush accordingly.

;)

And you know that I can GUSH with the best of them

heehee

moon

moonhart said...

OMG!! Jeri writes filkiness!!!LOLOLOL!

I thought I was the only one doing that! I have a unique version of "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" in my WIP.

LOLOLOL!

Brava Jeri. We are cut from the same cloth in style and humor.

;)

Terri (clapping in appreciation)

PC Cast said...

Moon - I'm looking forward to your gushing after you read Requiem!

PC

Jeri said...

Hi Moon, I totally forgot about "You Can't Hurry Woe." There's an even better song later in the book ("Dick for a Day") that my friend Greg wrote (as noted on the copyright page). I gave him the concept and the chorus, and he went nuts. We were drunk at the time, of course, which helped.

Thanks, PC, for the rec! I'm glad you like the first chapter. One editor who rejected it for a reprint made snarky comments about the second scene (with the three demons), so I've been wondering about it ever since.

moonhart said...

PC, I am looking forward to you gushing over my WIP: LOUIE IN LOVE.

I do believe that you and Jeri will appreciate the humor. Come October, I fully expect to be able to scream that it has sold!

;)

moonie

PC Cast said...

Jeri - totally ignore that snarky editor! The book is perfect as is.

Moon - I will toast to your sale as soon as you announce it!

moonhart said...

Listen to PC! She is a goddess and goddesses know these things.

;)

moon

moonhart said...

Off to WDW for a week. Looking forward to this great read upon return. Also, for another great read, try WARPRIZE by Elizabeth Vaughan.

EXCELLENT read.

moonie

moonhart said...

P.S. to Jeri re: the editor. Humor, as you know, is subjective. And not everyone responds the same way especially when characters cause the reader to stretch that imagination a little bit. ;)

I admit from the get-go that not everyone will appreciate my humor (which includes filkiness and a dog that provides distraction by having 'accidents.') I just figure that the people who get it, GET IT and the people who don't? Er...prolly won't like the book?

OTOH, masterful people like PC will DEFINITELY get it.

moonie (off to WDW!!!)