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A review by guiltlesspleasures
Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
So having read four of Jennifer McQuiston’s books now, I have come to realize that a) I love her writing but b) her plotting leaves something to be desired (except for in the impeccable What Happens in Scotland). To this book I add c) she occasionally creates unlikeable characters, hence the 3 stars.
Clare is a brat, although possibly this is realistic, because she’s 19 and a spoiled princess. Still, it didn’t make me feel warmly towards her or find her interesting. And Daniel… he should have been a great character, but McQuiston had him do some out-of-character stuff like kiss her out of nowhere while they still had a doctor-patient relationship - that felt gross. And I’m all for breaking down class barriers, but having them calling each other by their first names on like their second meeting felt unrealistic, as did a couple other moments. He also came across as patronizing to Clare it a number of moments.
For example, when they’re at Lady Austerley’s final musicale, Daniel comes across Clare and not only calls her “Clare” where anyone could hear him, but also strokes her collarbone? It just feels very unrealistic for someone who knows very well his place in society to take liberties like that in a public place. I put this down to an authorial failing rather than a character failing - it would have been too dumb a move for such a smart and ambitious man.
And then there’s the Big Misunderstanding at the end, which was - again - unrealistic. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.
High points were Clare’s brother and sister, and Daniel’s relationship with Lady Austerley.
It also needed another copy edit: “there would be less cases of syphilis to treat in Smithfield” is one example. <shudder>
Clare is a brat, although possibly this is realistic, because she’s 19 and a spoiled princess. Still, it didn’t make me feel warmly towards her or find her interesting. And Daniel… he should have been a great character, but McQuiston had him do some out-of-character stuff like kiss her out of nowhere while they still had a doctor-patient relationship - that felt gross. And I’m all for breaking down class barriers, but having them calling each other by their first names on like their second meeting felt unrealistic, as did a couple other moments. He also came across as patronizing to Clare it a number of moments.
For example, when they’re at Lady Austerley’s final musicale, Daniel comes across Clare and not only calls her “Clare” where anyone could hear him, but also strokes her collarbone? It just feels very unrealistic for someone who knows very well his place in society to take liberties like that in a public place. I put this down to an authorial failing rather than a character failing - it would have been too dumb a move for such a smart and ambitious man.
And then there’s the Big Misunderstanding at the end, which was - again - unrealistic. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.
High points were Clare’s brother and sister, and Daniel’s relationship with Lady Austerley.
It also needed another copy edit: “there would be less cases of syphilis to treat in Smithfield” is one example. <shudder>