I'm not sure what to think about Isis. It's a beautifully written and illustrated novella, strange and dreamy. But it's also uneven. Most of the book is reminiscence leading up to a tragedy, and then the main character Iris does one thing and another character does one thing, and then it ends. With all the build-up, I wanted more to happen. I also wanted more to be resolved.
I can't decide if the fault lies with me for wanting action with a happy ending, or if the book really is too still and open-ended. I suspect it's somewhere in between. Clegg brings up too many issues without explaining them--what was with the drowned bird? what was with the shadowy seed-man?--and I find it frustrating to have ends hanging like that. It feels sloppy.
On the other hand, the story is what it is: a short tale of grief and loss that steeps the reader in atmosphere. It's not exactly plot-driven and shouldn't need to be. I did enjoy it; the writing is lovely. I suspect it'll be one of those stories I reread in the fall when rain is pasting fallen leaves to the sidewalk and I'm feeling melancholy.
B&N link
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Reviews start soon!
About a year ago, maybe more, I noticed I was depending more and more on online book review blogs to find new fiction. More recently, I've noticed that many of the review blogs I used to read have either stopped updating or turned into blog-style magazines, with more interviews and contests than actual reviews. I just want the reviews. I'm sure other folks feel the same way, so we'll be pretty much reviews only.
We won't post every day. If we do, it's a coincidence and unlikely to keep happening. Then again, we might post three or four reviews in one day, who knows? We will try to post at least one review a week.
We're just people who like to read, just like you probably are, and our reviews will be closer to homespun than tailor-made--and there's nothing wrong with that. I hope we help you find some awesome new books or authors you might not have found otherwise. Good books make life great.
We won't post every day. If we do, it's a coincidence and unlikely to keep happening. Then again, we might post three or four reviews in one day, who knows? We will try to post at least one review a week.
We're just people who like to read, just like you probably are, and our reviews will be closer to homespun than tailor-made--and there's nothing wrong with that. I hope we help you find some awesome new books or authors you might not have found otherwise. Good books make life great.
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