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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I definitely recommend this book. I would just go in with the expectations of what it is. It's not really a novel, more a collection of short stories of one girl/woman's life and experiences in dating (or "hunting and fishing"). The chapters relate to one another, but they could definitely still be read on their own as short stories. So as a result, you get an in-depth look at one specific period or scene in Jane's life, but you don't get the overall unifying sense you get from a novel. It's a personal preference; I prefer novels.
That being said, the writing is really lovely, and anyone studying the craft could learn so many things from Melissa Bank. She writes short, evocative sentences, pulling you straight into the scene and Jane's mind. She's also hilarious--the last chapter in particular had me laughing out loud on the subway. But with only including such specific slices into Jane's life, I'm not totally sure why the author chose these all of these ones to focus on. For example, there were two chapters that were quite similar to each other, and another chapter that doesn't focus on Jane at all, but her downstairs neighbors. And I would have loved to see more of Jane as an adolescent, for example, which the book just kind of skips right over.
That being said, I'll probably go out and read everything this author has written, because she's such a great writer. Kind of reminiscent of Anita Shreve--managing to be solemn and funny and poetic and evocative all at once. Has she written any actual novels? I'll go look that up now...
That being said, the writing is really lovely, and anyone studying the craft could learn so many things from Melissa Bank. She writes short, evocative sentences, pulling you straight into the scene and Jane's mind. She's also hilarious--the last chapter in particular had me laughing out loud on the subway. But with only including such specific slices into Jane's life, I'm not totally sure why the author chose these all of these ones to focus on. For example, there were two chapters that were quite similar to each other, and another chapter that doesn't focus on Jane at all, but her downstairs neighbors. And I would have loved to see more of Jane as an adolescent, for example, which the book just kind of skips right over.
That being said, I'll probably go out and read everything this author has written, because she's such a great writer. Kind of reminiscent of Anita Shreve--managing to be solemn and funny and poetic and evocative all at once. Has she written any actual novels? I'll go look that up now...
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a collection of short stories about one character at different points in her life. The first story, in this reader's opinion, is the best and most hilarious because introduces us to the protagonist as a saucy 14 year-old with strong opinions on everything, including a visit from her college-age brother with his much older girlfriend.
The writing is entertaining and you can finish the stories in an afternoon.
The writing is entertaining and you can finish the stories in an afternoon.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I flew through this book. I enjoyed the incisive wit. That said, I wanted more depth. The vignette style format left me wanting more.
It's supposed to read like a novel, but it's more like four stories in one.
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced