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A review by torts
The Shape of Water by Anne Spollen
Did not finish book.
I really love this cover.
I just wish the book lived up to it. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but I'm seriously considering abandoning this book because there's so much about it that I just cannot stand. I'm going to rant about it in list format.
1. Okay, I guess I should have seen this coming, what with the title and all, but this book is WAY TOO heavy on the allusions to water. I get it, water is a big deal. That doesn't mean every sound or image has to be compared to water in some overblown metaphor/simile (usually simile).
2. She's an ARSONIST? Seriously? I'm supposed to sympathize with this protagonist? I hate her.
3. I guess it's an attempt to make the arsonist-protagonist likeable, but the excessive similes grate on my nerves.
4. The plot. I mean, I guess it's original to make the protagonist an ARSONIST; but there are already way too many YA books about moody teens whose mother/father/caretaker-person is (recently) dead, with the protagonist trying to deal with it but ending up acting out and learning a lesson about life (probably via some romantic relationship after she gets isolated from her friends/home). Just...no. I'm already pretty certain where this is heading, and my only reason to continue reading would be to try to prove my (pessimistic) predictions wrong. I don't know if I can stomach this much...water, though.
In conclusion:
Not my cup of tea. Maybe I'll give it another shot. After I've taken a break. A long break.
I just wish the book lived up to it. I'm only a couple of chapters in, but I'm seriously considering abandoning this book because there's so much about it that I just cannot stand. I'm going to rant about it in list format.
1. Okay, I guess I should have seen this coming, what with the title and all, but this book is WAY TOO heavy on the allusions to water. I get it, water is a big deal. That doesn't mean every sound or image has to be compared to water in some overblown metaphor/simile (usually simile).
2. She's an ARSONIST? Seriously? I'm supposed to sympathize with this protagonist? I hate her.
3. I guess it's an attempt to make the arsonist-protagonist likeable, but the excessive similes grate on my nerves.
4. The plot. I mean, I guess it's original to make the protagonist an ARSONIST; but there are already way too many YA books about moody teens whose mother/father/caretaker-person is (recently) dead, with the protagonist trying to deal with it but ending up acting out and learning a lesson about life (probably via some romantic relationship after she gets isolated from her friends/home). Just...no. I'm already pretty certain where this is heading, and my only reason to continue reading would be to try to prove my (pessimistic) predictions wrong. I don't know if I can stomach this much...water, though.
In conclusion:
Not my cup of tea. Maybe I'll give it another shot. After I've taken a break. A long break.