Helpful Score: 1
This book was just sort of meh for me. A quick throwaway read that a year from now I'll remember having read, but not what it was about. The premise is interesting enough and the first half was decent, but the story took too long to get there. So much of the middle of it could have been left out with the story remaining intact and none of the characters existing in the present seemed to have any dimension. I wasn't big on the hollow godliness, the awkward, mood-breaking pop culture references, the wholly unnecessary bits of esoteric pretentiousness thrown in for added measure (Marcello's oboe concerto? Really?), the shallow lessons on tolerance, the annoyingly condescending tone suggesting that none of us have read Dante's Inferno or the dull chastity of the whole endeavour. For a love story, this read an awful lot like every sex dream I had before I lost my virginity...the implication is there, but with no actual experience to see it through, there's no real action. The imagery of it all was truly beautiful, but it was just a beautiful mirage; there was nothing of substance.
I have to admit that I was disappointed because it came so highly recommended and lots of people seem to genuinely enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me. For lack of a better word, the book lacked fire.
It's not a bad book, it's just not a very good one.
I have to admit that I was disappointed because it came so highly recommended and lots of people seem to genuinely enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me. For lack of a better word, the book lacked fire.
It's not a bad book, it's just not a very good one.
