Fun (or the absence thereof)ext_1566781December 26 2012, 08:16:45 UTC
Interesting you should mention Gaiman, because he sprang to mind for me as well. Sorry to say Valente doesn't come out all that well from the comparison.
I loved her use of language. Truly beautiful, But, well. I've discussed this on a few blogs (including my own http://fightstart.blogspot.jp/2012/12/deathless.html ) but I can't seem to find the right metaphor so I'll cut to the chase - it's just that she obviously takes herself so bloody seriously. Breathtaking, yes. Gorgeous, definitely. And she knows it. Like (here comes the metaphor) a Slavic supermodel who knows she's stunning and so has never had to develop a sense of humour. Phenomenal in small doses, but too much like hard work in the long run.
Which is a shame, because unlike the supermodel, there's obviously heft to this book too, but again, it knows it.
Sorry, this is all coming out far more snippy than I intended. I suspect that's because there's obviously a phenomenal talent behind this book. If it was just grim and overly convinced of its own importance, I suspect I'd be a lot less down on it, but it could clearly be so much more if it'd just lighten up every once in a while.
Her endeth the rant. Plus OpenID really doesn't want me to comment. Apologies if you get a dozen of these posts in your spam filer. One more go and I'll call it quits and head on over to your wordpress site. All in all probably not the best way to introduce myself to your book club. Hey ho.
I loved her use of language. Truly beautiful, But, well. I've discussed this on a few blogs (including my own http://fightstart.blogspot.jp/2012/12/deathless.html ) but I can't seem to find the right metaphor so I'll cut to the chase - it's just that she obviously takes herself so bloody seriously. Breathtaking, yes. Gorgeous, definitely. And she knows it. Like (here comes the metaphor) a Slavic supermodel who knows she's stunning and so has never had to develop a sense of humour. Phenomenal in small doses, but too much like hard work in the long run.
Which is a shame, because unlike the supermodel, there's obviously heft to this book too, but again, it knows it.
Sorry, this is all coming out far more snippy than I intended. I suspect that's because there's obviously a phenomenal talent behind this book. If it was just grim and overly convinced of its own importance, I suspect I'd be a lot less down on it, but it could clearly be so much more if it'd just lighten up every once in a while.
Her endeth the rant. Plus OpenID really doesn't want me to comment. Apologies if you get a dozen of these posts in your spam filer. One more go and I'll call it quits and head on over to your wordpress site. All in all probably not the best way to introduce myself to your book club. Hey ho.
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