Helpful Score: 2
Ultimately unsatisfying..., August 13, 2010
This review is from: The Stormchasers (Hardcover)
This book was not on the same level as Blum's previous work, Those Who Save Us. Although I enjoyed this narrative well enough at the beginning, the middle really dragged, and the ups and downs of reading about Karena dealing with obstinate Charles (the twin with severe bipolar illness) wore me out and ultimately bored me.
Although the metaphor of stormchasing and bipolar "storms" was apt, the relentless reminder to the reader of how Charles' illness affected his sister, was overdone. I think most readers will be able to predict the outcome of the story once the "secret" is revealed. I did, however, enjoy the technical information about the development and science of storms, particularly tornadoes, since I live in the Midwest where this type of weather is common and often destructive.
Another reviewer has remarked about the fact that the two men in the book rarely use Karena's name. Her brother (and twin) calls her either "K" or "sistah", and her boyfriend refers to her as "Laredo" or some other term. I also found that annoying. I really never felt that I got involved with the characters in this novel -- they were very one dimensional and I found myself becoming irritated at times rather than empathizing with their plight. I was basically just glad to get to the wholly anticlimactic end.
I will wait patiently for Blum's next novel, and see if she can revert to the quality storytelling that made me a fan when I read her first book. Overall, just found The Stormchasers only mildly interesting, a bit disappointing, and would tell those who ask, "It's OK."
This review is from: The Stormchasers (Hardcover)
This book was not on the same level as Blum's previous work, Those Who Save Us. Although I enjoyed this narrative well enough at the beginning, the middle really dragged, and the ups and downs of reading about Karena dealing with obstinate Charles (the twin with severe bipolar illness) wore me out and ultimately bored me.
Although the metaphor of stormchasing and bipolar "storms" was apt, the relentless reminder to the reader of how Charles' illness affected his sister, was overdone. I think most readers will be able to predict the outcome of the story once the "secret" is revealed. I did, however, enjoy the technical information about the development and science of storms, particularly tornadoes, since I live in the Midwest where this type of weather is common and often destructive.
Another reviewer has remarked about the fact that the two men in the book rarely use Karena's name. Her brother (and twin) calls her either "K" or "sistah", and her boyfriend refers to her as "Laredo" or some other term. I also found that annoying. I really never felt that I got involved with the characters in this novel -- they were very one dimensional and I found myself becoming irritated at times rather than empathizing with their plight. I was basically just glad to get to the wholly anticlimactic end.
I will wait patiently for Blum's next novel, and see if she can revert to the quality storytelling that made me a fan when I read her first book. Overall, just found The Stormchasers only mildly interesting, a bit disappointing, and would tell those who ask, "It's OK."
After reading her amazing debut novel, Those Who Save Us, I was eagerly anticipating this book; however, for me, it simply didn't work on several levels. I grew up in the midwest, so I well remember the havoc that tornadoes can cause. That said, I found there was way too much meterological information to sustain my interest for seemingly interminable passages. The main characters, a bi-polar, stormchasing man and his twin sister, never captured my interest. I think that Jenna Blum is an extraordinarily talented author who perhaps should have taken more time to write this second novel. Based on her first book, I will read whatever she writes, but I did find this one disappointing.
I really think Jenna Blum did an outstanding job on this book despite many negative reviews I have read. Of course this is not like her first book, it doesn't have to be. I really wish people would quit trying to compare apples to oranges and just enjoy this for what it is.
Now that I go that out of my system, I really liked the story line. I loved all the characters despite their issues. When you are dealing with someone you love and their bi-polarism life can and will be very difficult at times. Kudos to Karena for the love and devotion that she showed to her twin brother Charles. She may not have always acted in the correct way, but the motivation behind her actions were understandable. All she wanted ever was to help her brother deal with his issues. I could never really fault Charles for the way that he sometimes dealt with his bi-polarism. It really sucks when the meds you are on that are supposed to help you make you sicker than a dog and do things to your personality that make you lose who you really are.
My only issue with the book was towards the very end when Kevin learns what happened when the twins were 18 and he cuts off contact with Kareena and then calls her right before the twins turn themselves in. Then the book jumps a year and they are married. Well what happened in between? What made Kevin forgive Karena? How did he do it? What happened during that year? I really feel like that should have been explored and written about. It feels like a whole chunk of information was left out.
Now that I go that out of my system, I really liked the story line. I loved all the characters despite their issues. When you are dealing with someone you love and their bi-polarism life can and will be very difficult at times. Kudos to Karena for the love and devotion that she showed to her twin brother Charles. She may not have always acted in the correct way, but the motivation behind her actions were understandable. All she wanted ever was to help her brother deal with his issues. I could never really fault Charles for the way that he sometimes dealt with his bi-polarism. It really sucks when the meds you are on that are supposed to help you make you sicker than a dog and do things to your personality that make you lose who you really are.
My only issue with the book was towards the very end when Kevin learns what happened when the twins were 18 and he cuts off contact with Kareena and then calls her right before the twins turn themselves in. Then the book jumps a year and they are married. Well what happened in between? What made Kevin forgive Karena? How did he do it? What happened during that year? I really feel like that should have been explored and written about. It feels like a whole chunk of information was left out.
