The second book I read for he Aussie Author Challenge 2016 was Guilt by Matt Nable. This book had a lot of potential. I enjoyed the author's cadence and writing style somewhat. The framework of the story interested me. But, sadly, it didn't live up to its potential. For a number of reasons, I was disappointed. I hate book bashing, but to give an honest, fair review, I need to explain my disappointments.
- Too many characters and story lines. Yes, they are all connected, but it was just too much. I needed a flow chart.
- With so many characters, some lacked the depth I think the author intended.
- The thoughts and words expressed by 17 year old girls in 1989 were unrealistic. I know. I was a 16 year old girl in 1989. Unless these specific Australian girls were just wayyyyy more advanced and comfortable talking/thinking about specific sexual acts and body parts. It's possible 17 year old girls today would talk and think this way, but not teenagers of 1989. We were a little more closed and silent about those things. Not that sex wasn't happening; no girl I know talked about it this way. Other aspects of teenager life seemed very realistic, but not this.
- I kept expecting a twist (or twists) to keep the story less predictable.
- Things that I can only assume the author thought would be a twist...well, they weren't.
- If the ending was supposed to be a little bit of a shocker, it wasn't.
It's the 7th year for the Aussie Author Challenge, and my 2nd year participating (click on the picture/link to take you directly to the site for more information). My preliminary book list is as follows:
Female Authors:
- People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
- What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
- The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington(non-fiction)- COMPLETED 17 January 2016
Male Authors:
- Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
- Life or Death by Michael Robotham
- Praise by Andrew McGahan
Guilt by Matthew Nable- COMPLETED 3 February 2016
Authors New to Me:
Oooh, what a bummer that the book was a bust. I am impressed that you made it to the end! I wasn't quite 16 in 89 (but close), and I agree with your thoughts on how things were re: how girls talked about sex. It was happening, but not as much as now and any discussions were not as explicit. Liane Moriarty is one of my fave authors and I still need to read What Alice Forgot!
ReplyDeleteGina || On the Daily Express
OH, PS...I can't get into TV much lately either. I'm trying to watch AI since it's the last season but haven't started yet. Maybe I'll catch up a little this weekend? TBD. Hard to top Dexter. It might be my all time fave show.
DeleteThis is a really neat challenge. I don't pay much attention to the nationality of book authors- my guess is I mostly read American or English authors... This is a really crafty theme for a challenge!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pet peeve of mine when I read a book that takes place in the 90s and the characters are teenagers/early 20s and it's nothing like what actually happened. Or you can see it trying to be and it's just not.
ReplyDeleteToo many characters and plots can kill a book for me, too. It's why I had only a lukewarm response to After You. Same problems.
That's the worst when a book is disappointing! I think that sometimes it's easier to follow movies with tons of characters whose story lines are intertwined because you can see their faces, while in a book you might have to flip back and forth to remember names and things like that. Hopefully you're next book will be better though!
ReplyDeleteOh man I feel you on the mismatching of characters to time period. Authors always do that! Pet peeve!!
ReplyDelete