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jplane1 's review for:
One Good Turn
by Kate Atkinson
After really enjoying Case Histories, I was disappointed by this book. Here's what I don't understand:
1. Why did Jackson get involved with Julia at all? She was unbearable in Case Histories. I can understand him stupidly falling into a brief affair with her because he loves her boobs, or whatever, but I thought he would wake up and notice she was shallow, selfish, and dishonest, not keep seeing her for months or years.
2. What was Graham Hatter really up to? Apparently he owned "Favors" as well as his construction company -- was he also responsible for trafficking the women from Russia as was hinted? "Fraud is nothing, Gloria. Many worse things than fraud." (p. 391). It seems sloppy not to clarify what he was actually doing, particularly in a book that doesn't skimp on detail.
3. What's up with all the coincidences? Are they supposed to be a theme, because Jackson comments: "you say coincidence, I say connection," (p. 290). Also, we are clearly supposed to think the matryoshka dolls are an important motif, suggesting that the plot is tightly woven, nestled together. But is it? It just seems implausible, first that the henchman of Mr. Hatter accidentally rear ends the hitman hired by Mrs. Hatter. This is then witnessed by Mrs. Hatter herself ! If Edinborough were a very small village, then maybe... but in a large city thronged with visitors for the Fringe Festival?
I felt that Case Histories was the work of a really talented author; I will read more of her in hopes that Case Histories is more representative than this One Good Turn.
1. Why did Jackson get involved with Julia at all? She was unbearable in Case Histories. I can understand him stupidly falling into a brief affair with her because he loves her boobs, or whatever, but I thought he would wake up and notice she was shallow, selfish, and dishonest, not keep seeing her for months or years.
2. What was Graham Hatter really up to? Apparently he owned "Favors" as well as his construction company -- was he also responsible for trafficking the women from Russia as was hinted? "Fraud is nothing, Gloria. Many worse things than fraud." (p. 391). It seems sloppy not to clarify what he was actually doing, particularly in a book that doesn't skimp on detail.
3. What's up with all the coincidences? Are they supposed to be a theme, because Jackson comments: "you say coincidence, I say connection," (p. 290). Also, we are clearly supposed to think the matryoshka dolls are an important motif, suggesting that the plot is tightly woven, nestled together. But is it? It just seems implausible, first that the henchman of Mr. Hatter accidentally rear ends the hitman hired by Mrs. Hatter. This is then witnessed by Mrs. Hatter herself ! If Edinborough were a very small village, then maybe... but in a large city thronged with visitors for the Fringe Festival?
I felt that Case Histories was the work of a really talented author; I will read more of her in hopes that Case Histories is more representative than this One Good Turn.