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jessielzimmer's reviews
288 reviews
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Still Great, Though the Shine Has Softened
I remembering loving this book when I first read it sometime in the mid-2000s. When I couldn't get into American Gods I went for Neverwhere instead, as it was shorter and had a concept I liked better. Neil Gaiman brings a gritty, fantastical world to life like no one else, and he's an excellent narrator for the audiobook. It's a great novel with characters I want to know more about like Door, Carabas, and Anesthesia, with some truly wonderful imagery. I love the concept of Door's powers, her whole family, and I wanted more time with them.
But, perhaps because I'm no longer in my early 20s and now pushing 40, some of the shine has worn off. The world doesn't have quite as much depth as I remember, and Richard himself feels like one of the weaker elements of the novel. He fights to go home for the entire book, only to change his mind and reverse course within the last two chapters. And while I do still like the machinations of Islington, I find myself wanting more. More background, more build up. Less of Richard's whining and more details about Door, Islington, the Markets. Everything!
On a note about the audiobook, Neil Gaiman is an excellent narrator. He easily differentiates characters with an array of voices that don't repeat (something The Last Wish, my previous audiobook, failed at). His voice is beautiful to listen to, and he's better than many professional narrators I've tried to listen to. I will, however, state that I hated the audio effects in the dream sequences and phone calls. You'll know what I mean when you get there. The dream effect was especially heavy-handed, making it difficult to get through. It really is enough to invoke a dream sequence with voice, and no fancy effects in post.
My other complaint would be toward Gaiman's pacing. Mind you, his voice is lovely, but there are times when he's too calm, too measured. I remember the story having a lot more tension, and I wonder if that boils to my inner narrator compared to Gaiman's narration. There were times he would say a line followed by "he shouted" and I was left staring at the air. He screamed? Are you sure? Because nothing about that delivery read as screaming, and it negativity altered the pacing.
One thing I noticed recently, is that audiobooks tend to make crutch words and phrases stand out more. Despite her brief appearance Lamia's "foxglove colored eyes" were mentioned at least a dozen times. So much so that it's second place in "phrases Jessie hates the most", only second to "Lilac and Gooseberries" from The Last Wish. It also seemed he couldn't resist applying some type of "caramel" descriptor to Hunter. Caramel skin, caramel eyes, caramel smile? Cool, she's brown, we get it. Once or twice is fine, but after half a dozen times I start looking for the editor.
I know, it sounds like I hated the book. I didn't, not at all. It's still a wonderful read, but as someone who is no longer newly arrived to urban fantasy, I can see the weak spots in a book I still love. I hope to reread it again later this year in paperback, to see if I can possibly recapture some of the lost tension that way.
Lastly, why wasn't How the Maquis Got His Coat Back its own chapter? It struck me as silly, and a touch annoying, to make the final chapter twice as long as it actually was. It also would've been nicer to pause, enjoy the ending of Neverwhere, and come back later to the short story.
I remembering loving this book when I first read it sometime in the mid-2000s. When I couldn't get into American Gods I went for Neverwhere instead, as it was shorter and had a concept I liked better. Neil Gaiman brings a gritty, fantastical world to life like no one else, and he's an excellent narrator for the audiobook. It's a great novel with characters I want to know more about like Door, Carabas, and Anesthesia, with some truly wonderful imagery. I love the concept of Door's powers, her whole family, and I wanted more time with them.
But, perhaps because I'm no longer in my early 20s and now pushing 40, some of the shine has worn off. The world doesn't have quite as much depth as I remember, and Richard himself feels like one of the weaker elements of the novel. He fights to go home for the entire book, only to change his mind and reverse course within the last two chapters. And while I do still like the machinations of Islington, I find myself wanting more. More background, more build up. Less of Richard's whining and more details about Door, Islington, the Markets. Everything!
On a note about the audiobook, Neil Gaiman is an excellent narrator. He easily differentiates characters with an array of voices that don't repeat (something The Last Wish, my previous audiobook, failed at). His voice is beautiful to listen to, and he's better than many professional narrators I've tried to listen to. I will, however, state that I hated the audio effects in the dream sequences and phone calls. You'll know what I mean when you get there. The dream effect was especially heavy-handed, making it difficult to get through. It really is enough to invoke a dream sequence with voice, and no fancy effects in post.
My other complaint would be toward Gaiman's pacing. Mind you, his voice is lovely, but there are times when he's too calm, too measured. I remember the story having a lot more tension, and I wonder if that boils to my inner narrator compared to Gaiman's narration. There were times he would say a line followed by "he shouted" and I was left staring at the air. He screamed? Are you sure? Because nothing about that delivery read as screaming, and it negativity altered the pacing.
One thing I noticed recently, is that audiobooks tend to make crutch words and phrases stand out more. Despite her brief appearance Lamia's "foxglove colored eyes" were mentioned at least a dozen times. So much so that it's second place in "phrases Jessie hates the most", only second to "Lilac and Gooseberries" from The Last Wish. It also seemed he couldn't resist applying some type of "caramel" descriptor to Hunter. Caramel skin, caramel eyes, caramel smile? Cool, she's brown, we get it. Once or twice is fine, but after half a dozen times I start looking for the editor.
I know, it sounds like I hated the book. I didn't, not at all. It's still a wonderful read, but as someone who is no longer newly arrived to urban fantasy, I can see the weak spots in a book I still love. I hope to reread it again later this year in paperback, to see if I can possibly recapture some of the lost tension that way.
Lastly, why wasn't How the Maquis Got His Coat Back its own chapter? It struck me as silly, and a touch annoying, to make the final chapter twice as long as it actually was. It also would've been nicer to pause, enjoy the ending of Neverwhere, and come back later to the short story.
Positively Yours by Kang Ki, Lee Jung
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I could not push through this. I wanted to, I really did. But I just can't take it any more. I think the concept has a lot of potential, but the characters were almost entirely awful. The male lead is pushing the idea of marriage without even sitting down and having a conversation with her. She's making assumptions left, right, and center in her head without talking to him.
This is my third manwha in the last week or two, and I am just ... done. 2 out of 3 that I've read (A Business Proposal, Under the Oak Tree) feel like bad romcoms or sitcoms. All bumbling "misunderstandings" because the characters refuse to talk to each other like adults, and male leads getting away with being pushy, arrogant bastards because "they're so hawt".
Positively Yours one has the added layer of the female lead saying "it's my baby" and straight up ignoring the father's rights. In case you didn't know this, readers, she wouldn't have said baby without him. So no, it's not just hers. If a woman feels that way, don't have sex with someone you don't want to potentially have a child with.
I'm out.
[Made it through chapter 11.]
This is my third manwha in the last week or two, and I am just ... done. 2 out of 3 that I've read (A Business Proposal, Under the Oak Tree) feel like bad romcoms or sitcoms. All bumbling "misunderstandings" because the characters refuse to talk to each other like adults, and male leads getting away with being pushy, arrogant bastards because "they're so hawt".
Positively Yours one has the added layer of the female lead saying "it's my baby" and straight up ignoring the father's rights. In case you didn't know this, readers, she wouldn't have said baby without him. So no, it's not just hers. If a woman feels that way, don't have sex with someone you don't want to potentially have a child with.
I'm out.
[Made it through chapter 11.]
A Business Proposal vol.3 by Haehwa
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
I tried, y'all. I well and truly tried. After 3 volumes (of the 8 currently published, and I assume volume 9 is coming soon) and 40 chapters, I quit. I feel like giving the series that long to get my attention is more than fair.
But this is mostly the same shit from the other two volumes, now with added sexual harassment and assault. The best thing about this one was getting to dig further into Yeongsuh and Sunghoon's relationship. Though I really hate she was drunk when they got together. I wish they'd come together when she wasn't sober.
Now, unfortunately, the stupid "dramatic" miscommunications have jumped over to this couple, and there's several <b>chapters</b> of "drama" - rather than talking to one another and solving things like adults. Though I really applaud Sunghoon for being quick to squash any complications with the other woman and correct his mistakes - even though he was stuck in that position thanks to Taemu, who is still an asshole.
Sunghoon is the only character with true decency and maturity. Ha-ri was a close second, until she became a total doormat at the end of this what. To the point of allowing her boss and pretend-boyfriend to force sexual favors from her, claiming it's "payment" for (supposedly) helping her.
I hate it. I hate all of it.
This shouldn't have been considered acceptable before, but not that we're in a post-Harvey Weinstein world, writing sexual assault and harassment and intimidation as anything other than wrong is not acceptable. It is awful. It is not acceptable. It is not sexy.
I'm done investing time in this series. I wish it was about Mr. Cha instead, and Taemu was revealed as the scumbag he is, rather than the "hunky" male lead worthy of lusting over. Relatedly, I don't mind some sexiness in my entertainment, but if I never have to see frame-by-frame visuals of tongues going into people's mouths and actual exchanging of spit, it'll be too soon. Those panels were gross as fuck.
Adding a half point for Sunghoon being handsome and sweet and the best person in these books. The best thing about this series is that it bulked up my book count for my yearly challenge.
But this is mostly the same shit from the other two volumes, now with added sexual harassment and assault. The best thing about this one was getting to dig further into Yeongsuh and Sunghoon's relationship. Though I really hate she was drunk when they got together. I wish they'd come together when she wasn't sober.
Now, unfortunately, the stupid "dramatic" miscommunications have jumped over to this couple, and there's several <b>chapters</b> of "drama" - rather than talking to one another and solving things like adults. Though I really applaud Sunghoon for being quick to squash any complications with the other woman and correct his mistakes - even though he was stuck in that position thanks to Taemu, who is still an asshole.
Sunghoon is the only character with true decency and maturity. Ha-ri was a close second, until she became a total doormat at the end of this what. To the point of allowing her boss and pretend-boyfriend to force sexual favors from her, claiming it's "payment" for (supposedly) helping her.
I hate it. I hate all of it.
This shouldn't have been considered acceptable before, but not that we're in a post-Harvey Weinstein world, writing sexual assault and harassment and intimidation as anything other than wrong is not acceptable. It is awful. It is not acceptable. It is not sexy.
I'm done investing time in this series. I wish it was about Mr. Cha instead, and Taemu was revealed as the scumbag he is, rather than the "hunky" male lead worthy of lusting over. Relatedly, I don't mind some sexiness in my entertainment, but if I never have to see frame-by-frame visuals of tongues going into people's mouths and actual exchanging of spit, it'll be too soon. Those panels were gross as fuck.
Adding a half point for Sunghoon being handsome and sweet and the best person in these books. The best thing about this series is that it bulked up my book count for my yearly challenge.
A Business Proposal, Vol. 2 by Haehwa, Perilla
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Thanks to the wonderful Carolina for posting episode/chapter numbers for this volume.
Well, I finished it, and I continue to remain largely unimpressed. Very little has changed between this volume and the first. The whole secret identity plot went on way too long. It could have easily been the cliffhanger of volume one, picking up at the top of this one. Allowing the relationship to actually move forward while Taemu deals with the deception, and making way for he and Ha-ri to get to know each other.
But no. We have to drag this stale plot device out for thirteen more chapters instead. Honestly, besides the backstory development for Mr. Cha - who I still adore, he is the best of the Main Four, by far - very little changed here.
Sure, Ha-ri and Taemu finally met face to face, but the whole bit with the bruise was remarkably stupid. A sharp, intelligent, no nonsense CEO needing that put 2 + 2 together is laughable. He looks like a complete idiot for not suspecting sooner. It's the equivalent of people not being able to see that Clark Kent is Superman because he wears glasses.
That's it. That is the bulk of this volume. Though one new contender steps up to challenge Yeongsuh and Sunghoon's relationship. (And those fight panels were really funny.) Minwoo comes back, which isn't that surprising. Taemu continues to be even more of an asshole to Ha-ri and Sunghoon.
I do feel really bad for him and Yeongsuh being stuck in this mess. It genuinely made my heart go out to her when she found how Taemu is forcing this on Sung-hoon. Because they clearly have feelings for one another. I know Yeongsuh started the problem, but Taemu is way over-reacting and hurting Sunghoon simply because he can.
Because he's an asshole.
Apparently there's some Sunghoon / Taemu backstory that supposed to be important, but if it's that one of kindness from, like, 20 years ago, I call bullshit. Also, toward the end, Taemu is now developing feelings for Ha-ri despite still knowing nothing about her? HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HER REAL NAME UNTIL EPISODE/CHAPTER 27 ... but whatever.
Still only reading this because a friend told me it's going to get good, but if there isn't some major character development in volume three, I am out.
Well, I finished it, and I continue to remain largely unimpressed. Very little has changed between this volume and the first. The whole secret identity plot went on way too long. It could have easily been the cliffhanger of volume one, picking up at the top of this one. Allowing the relationship to actually move forward while Taemu deals with the deception, and making way for he and Ha-ri to get to know each other.
But no. We have to drag this stale plot device out for thirteen more chapters instead. Honestly, besides the backstory development for Mr. Cha - who I still adore, he is the best of the Main Four, by far - very little changed here.
Sure, Ha-ri and Taemu finally met face to face, but the whole bit with the bruise was remarkably stupid. A sharp, intelligent, no nonsense CEO needing that put 2 + 2 together is laughable. He looks like a complete idiot for not suspecting sooner. It's the equivalent of people not being able to see that Clark Kent is Superman because he wears glasses.
That's it. That is the bulk of this volume. Though one new contender steps up to challenge Yeongsuh and Sunghoon's relationship. (And those fight panels were really funny.) Minwoo comes back, which isn't that surprising. Taemu continues to be even more of an asshole to Ha-ri and Sunghoon.
I do feel really bad for him and Yeongsuh being stuck in this mess. It genuinely made my heart go out to her when she found how Taemu is forcing this on Sung-hoon. Because they clearly have feelings for one another. I know Yeongsuh started the problem, but Taemu is way over-reacting and hurting Sunghoon simply because he can.
Because he's an asshole.
Apparently there's some Sunghoon / Taemu backstory that supposed to be important, but if it's that one of kindness from, like, 20 years ago, I call bullshit. Also, toward the end, Taemu is now developing feelings for Ha-ri despite still knowing nothing about her? HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HER REAL NAME UNTIL EPISODE/CHAPTER 27 ... but whatever.
Still only reading this because a friend told me it's going to get good, but if there isn't some major character development in volume three, I am out.
A Business Proposal by NARAK, Haehwa, Guava Farm, Perilla
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Okay, so from what I've been able to research, I've finished the first volume of this. The webtoon doesn't break the series down into books. So, going off of a Goodreads Q&A reply - volume one covers from the prologue through the end of chapter fourteen (though a commenter said another number, so who the hell knows**). And so far ... it's okay. The premise is a funny romantic-comedy type, the lead is enjoyable enough, and the art is very pretty.
I have no real use for the male lead, though he is quite attractive, as many other people have raved about. I much prefer the secretary. I find him much cuter, not to mention a decent guy - unlike his boss.
I like Ha-ri. She's drawn very beautifully both with and without the persona, though I think develing deeper into her backstory would make her storyline stronger. As someone who doesn't think much of herself, and is struggling under both financial debt and familial duty, she has the potential for a really good character arc.
I don't hate the best-friend character, even though she is a terrible person, because she's easily 80% of why this story has any momentum at all. The whole marriage plot, while important, feels like it's frequently secondary to the best-friend pushing things forward.
My biggest issue is the male lead*. He's just on the cusp of being boring. He's a busy business man who almost never misses a chance to tell us how busy he is. Sure, he's very handsome, but beauty and money is all he has going for him. Both Hari and Yeongsuh repeatedly talk about him being emotionless and it shows, even in the art.
I don't know if this is simply a common trope (this is the first manwha/webtoon that I've ever read) but he always - and I do mean always - pushes Ha-ri around. Forcing her into making hasty choices, manipulating her for his own means, and blatantly ignoring her explicit desires. Examples including but not limited to: calling her at fucking ridiculous hours despite her saying not to, starting "skinship" without asking permission, and generally just not giving a fuck about anything she might want.
Besides some very minimal contract discussion, there is no talk about boundaries, dos and don'ts, or what Ha-ri might feel comfortable with. It's all his way or the highway, and she's just a prop for him to move about wherever he desires. He hasn't said a single, genuine kind word to her thus-far and I'm at least in volume two at this point (chapter twenty three).
She gets the ba-thump heart text around him a fair bit because he's attractive, but they have nothing in common. They haven't discussed anything along the lines of likes/dislikes, life goals, dreams, history - and yet his grandfather is supposed to believe that it's love at first sight and they're engaged to be married. He doesn't know where she works, lives, her family, nothing. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Is this what female readers (as they seem to be the majority of the readers) want in a leading man?
I'm trying to power through because a friend recommended it and said it was good, but with so little character development happening, it's turning into quite a slog. While the art is lovely, I'm don't think it's going to be enough to carry me through.
The most disappointing part is, with a bit of restructuring, this first volume could have been so much better. Ha-ri could still be in debt. Taemu could still need a bride (I find him so bland I just forgot his name and almost called him What's His Face). The interoffice romance could still be taboo.
But have Ha-ri actually be on board. Such as, Taemu plucks her out of the company staff [for: insert reason here; he's a Tony Stark type, make her his Pepper Potts or, like the early comics, pull her from the modern day equivalent of the typing pool] and offers to pay off/end the loan if she gets Grandpa off his back for a year. Her Yeongsuh has no idea what's happening, and Taemu/Ha-ri keep it under wraps because "taboo". Only for Yeongsuh to eventually find out, risking the secret. BFF could still have her romance with Adorable Man who I won't name because spoilers. And Adorable Man is put under pressure when Grandpa starts doubting the romance.
While pretending to fake it for Grandpa - and hiding it from everyone else who could blow it (or make Grandpa forbid the office romance, because he doesn't want a workaholic granddaughter-in-law, too) - Taemu and Ha-ri start making a real connection and developing feelings for each other. But both think the other is simply playing along, so they don't say anything for fear of being rejected.
This isn't that complicated. Hallmark does this schtick all the time and, frankly, does it better. It could have been super easy to have Ha-ri be an active character in the story, rather than a passive object being manipulated by others.
Note: I added another half star here, because StoryGraph actually lets me get that precise (thank you!), for Mr. Cha. Because he's a sweetie and he deserves it. I wish this story followed him instead.
* I have the same problem with Riftan in Under the Oak Tree, with the added "bonus" of him frequently raping Maxi under the guise of "not being able to control himself". And she can't stop him because he's easily twice or three times her size.
The two things saving it thus-far are 1) Maxi actually has a character arc to herself (not involving the "romance") and is making slow but evident progress, and 2) much of the artwork is simply stunning. To the point where I'd get framed prints of it if I could, and it blows this art out of the water.
** According to another GR review this volume is chapter 0 - 47. But that seems unlikely as, of this writing, there's only 115 chapters, with 116 dropping in 9 hours. So I'm calling it done at the end of 14. I really wish Tapas and other sites would break these up into seasons or proper books. Even Tolkien knew he'd have to break things into multiple books eventually. Fuck me ...
I have no real use for the male lead, though he is quite attractive, as many other people have raved about. I much prefer the secretary. I find him much cuter, not to mention a decent guy - unlike his boss.
I like Ha-ri. She's drawn very beautifully both with and without the persona, though I think develing deeper into her backstory would make her storyline stronger. As someone who doesn't think much of herself, and is struggling under both financial debt and familial duty, she has the potential for a really good character arc.
I don't hate the best-friend character, even though she is a terrible person, because she's easily 80% of why this story has any momentum at all. The whole marriage plot, while important, feels like it's frequently secondary to the best-friend pushing things forward.
My biggest issue is the male lead*. He's just on the cusp of being boring. He's a busy business man who almost never misses a chance to tell us how busy he is. Sure, he's very handsome, but beauty and money is all he has going for him. Both Hari and Yeongsuh repeatedly talk about him being emotionless and it shows, even in the art.
I don't know if this is simply a common trope (this is the first manwha/webtoon that I've ever read) but he always - and I do mean always - pushes Ha-ri around. Forcing her into making hasty choices, manipulating her for his own means, and blatantly ignoring her explicit desires. Examples including but not limited to: calling her at fucking ridiculous hours despite her saying not to, starting "skinship" without asking permission, and generally just not giving a fuck about anything she might want.
Besides some very minimal contract discussion, there is no talk about boundaries, dos and don'ts, or what Ha-ri might feel comfortable with. It's all his way or the highway, and she's just a prop for him to move about wherever he desires. He hasn't said a single, genuine kind word to her thus-far and I'm at least in volume two at this point (chapter twenty three).
She gets the ba-thump heart text around him a fair bit because he's attractive, but they have nothing in common. They haven't discussed anything along the lines of likes/dislikes, life goals, dreams, history - and yet his grandfather is supposed to believe that it's love at first sight and they're engaged to be married. He doesn't know where she works, lives, her family, nothing. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Is this what female readers (as they seem to be the majority of the readers) want in a leading man?
I'm trying to power through because a friend recommended it and said it was good, but with so little character development happening, it's turning into quite a slog. While the art is lovely, I'm don't think it's going to be enough to carry me through.
The most disappointing part is, with a bit of restructuring, this first volume could have been so much better. Ha-ri could still be in debt. Taemu could still need a bride (I find him so bland I just forgot his name and almost called him What's His Face). The interoffice romance could still be taboo.
But have Ha-ri actually be on board. Such as, Taemu plucks her out of the company staff [for: insert reason here; he's a Tony Stark type, make her his Pepper Potts or, like the early comics, pull her from the modern day equivalent of the typing pool] and offers to pay off/end the loan if she gets Grandpa off his back for a year. Her Yeongsuh has no idea what's happening, and Taemu/Ha-ri keep it under wraps because "taboo". Only for Yeongsuh to eventually find out, risking the secret. BFF could still have her romance with Adorable Man who I won't name because spoilers. And Adorable Man is put under pressure when Grandpa starts doubting the romance.
While pretending to fake it for Grandpa - and hiding it from everyone else who could blow it (or make Grandpa forbid the office romance, because he doesn't want a workaholic granddaughter-in-law, too) - Taemu and Ha-ri start making a real connection and developing feelings for each other. But both think the other is simply playing along, so they don't say anything for fear of being rejected.
This isn't that complicated. Hallmark does this schtick all the time and, frankly, does it better. It could have been super easy to have Ha-ri be an active character in the story, rather than a passive object being manipulated by others.
Note: I added another half star here, because StoryGraph actually lets me get that precise (thank you!), for Mr. Cha. Because he's a sweetie and he deserves it. I wish this story followed him instead.
* I have the same problem with Riftan in Under the Oak Tree, with the added "bonus" of him frequently raping Maxi under the guise of "not being able to control himself". And she can't stop him because he's easily twice or three times her size.
The two things saving it thus-far are 1) Maxi actually has a character arc to herself (not involving the "romance") and is making slow but evident progress, and 2) much of the artwork is simply stunning. To the point where I'd get framed prints of it if I could, and it blows this art out of the water.
** According to another GR review this volume is chapter 0 - 47. But that seems unlikely as, of this writing, there's only 115 chapters, with 116 dropping in 9 hours. So I'm calling it done at the end of 14. I really wish Tapas and other sites would break these up into seasons or proper books. Even Tolkien knew he'd have to break things into multiple books eventually. Fuck me ...
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.25
Interesting Thoughts on Education, Wrapped in a Familiar Self-Help Package
As many others have said, if you've watched Robinson's TED Talk "Do Schools Kill Creativity" and "Finding Your Element" (not a TED Talk), you know the message already. Robinson is a much stronger presenter than a writer, so if you're interested in what he has to say, watch those instead. It'll take less time and fewer words.
The book *is* good. But it does involve a lot of skimming. I'm going to pull a statistic I haven't confirmed out of my butt, and estimate 70% of this book can be found in his videos. I suspect that's a lowball. This could also explain why my attention flagged - for four months - at about 50%.
I like a lot of what he has to say, and agree with much of it. Especially his concerns about the Western approach to education. I do think we focus on testing far too much, rather than forming well-rounded people able to thrive in society. Kids have to memorize mathematical formulas, but can't balance a budget, understand the real cost of university, or credit cards.
After this, however, Robinson and I part ways. As others have mentioned, Robinson focuses on high-level success stories for most of the book. Meg Ryan. Richard Branson. The Beatles. Arthur C. Clarke. Not all of those profiled are household names, but many, many are. There's also more than a few "epiphanies" cited by those interviewed. But less discussion about the work between epiphany and wildly successful as the book continues.
I would love to see more stories of everyday people who found success in finding their Element. Who might not be billionaires (or hedge fund managers, or professors), but found a healthy balance between passion and prosperity. Middle-class successes, I suppose.
Instead The Element tipped into inspiration porn at points. Sure, there's a chapter on finding your purpose later in life and becoming successful. But it was only after the eight chapters before it. The overall message to me seemed to be: take chances when you're in your teens and twenties. Because at least if you fail, there's still plenty of time to pick up a 9-5 and save yourself. And if you're lucky, you can tap your Element on the side.
There were bits I loved. The story about the schools that broke the traditional molds. Or reshaped the concepts while still allowing their students to succeed in traditional testing. The case of the elderly and children working in tandem. Learning from each other. The wisdom of not shutting away the elderly is a very important one. We wouldn't be here without them, after all. The concept of Pro-Ams. People who may not be able to (or want to) pursue their passions full-time, but don't quite fit the model of "hobbyist" either. I am like that with computer technical support, book reviews, and novel writing.
And there were bits I didn't care for. There seemed to be a slight bias against blue-collar work, as though we're above such work now. Even as, in the same chapter, he admits degrees are becoming less valuable because there aren't enough white-collar jobs to keep us employed. But still, put yourself in debt anyway, because the Census Bureau says you'll make more money!
Without a sentence spared to how fulfilling (financially and otherwise) trade work can be. Tradies can be plumbers and hair stylists. HVAC techs, commercial pilots, and truck drivers. STEM fields are often portrayed as the successful ideal, but until the robots take over, you're still going to need a plumber to fix your shitter when it breaks. Bonus, many "lesser" jobs come without the burden of five figures (or more) of college debt.
Robinson also shoved a plea about climate crisis in the last two chapters, and while I understand many of his points, it read more like a man who'd bitten off too much. Trying to cram it all into one book. There's a lot of inspirational stories, but less concrete concepts on how to shape the world for the better via your Element. And The Element itself is another buzzy phrase like "follow your passion" and "do what you love". Not quite as profound as he thinks it is. While it's not nearly as catchy, I'll pass on The Element and heed these words instead:
"Passion is too important to be without, but too fickle to be guided by. Which is why I’m more inclined to say, 'Don’t Follow Your Passion, But Always Bring it With You." ~ Mike Rowe
As many others have said, if you've watched Robinson's TED Talk "Do Schools Kill Creativity" and "Finding Your Element" (not a TED Talk), you know the message already. Robinson is a much stronger presenter than a writer, so if you're interested in what he has to say, watch those instead. It'll take less time and fewer words.
The book *is* good. But it does involve a lot of skimming. I'm going to pull a statistic I haven't confirmed out of my butt, and estimate 70% of this book can be found in his videos. I suspect that's a lowball. This could also explain why my attention flagged - for four months - at about 50%.
I like a lot of what he has to say, and agree with much of it. Especially his concerns about the Western approach to education. I do think we focus on testing far too much, rather than forming well-rounded people able to thrive in society. Kids have to memorize mathematical formulas, but can't balance a budget, understand the real cost of university, or credit cards.
After this, however, Robinson and I part ways. As others have mentioned, Robinson focuses on high-level success stories for most of the book. Meg Ryan. Richard Branson. The Beatles. Arthur C. Clarke. Not all of those profiled are household names, but many, many are. There's also more than a few "epiphanies" cited by those interviewed. But less discussion about the work between epiphany and wildly successful as the book continues.
I would love to see more stories of everyday people who found success in finding their Element. Who might not be billionaires (or hedge fund managers, or professors), but found a healthy balance between passion and prosperity. Middle-class successes, I suppose.
Instead The Element tipped into inspiration porn at points. Sure, there's a chapter on finding your purpose later in life and becoming successful. But it was only after the eight chapters before it. The overall message to me seemed to be: take chances when you're in your teens and twenties. Because at least if you fail, there's still plenty of time to pick up a 9-5 and save yourself. And if you're lucky, you can tap your Element on the side.
There were bits I loved. The story about the schools that broke the traditional molds. Or reshaped the concepts while still allowing their students to succeed in traditional testing. The case of the elderly and children working in tandem. Learning from each other. The wisdom of not shutting away the elderly is a very important one. We wouldn't be here without them, after all. The concept of Pro-Ams. People who may not be able to (or want to) pursue their passions full-time, but don't quite fit the model of "hobbyist" either. I am like that with computer technical support, book reviews, and novel writing.
And there were bits I didn't care for. There seemed to be a slight bias against blue-collar work, as though we're above such work now. Even as, in the same chapter, he admits degrees are becoming less valuable because there aren't enough white-collar jobs to keep us employed. But still, put yourself in debt anyway, because the Census Bureau says you'll make more money!
Without a sentence spared to how fulfilling (financially and otherwise) trade work can be. Tradies can be plumbers and hair stylists. HVAC techs, commercial pilots, and truck drivers. STEM fields are often portrayed as the successful ideal, but until the robots take over, you're still going to need a plumber to fix your shitter when it breaks. Bonus, many "lesser" jobs come without the burden of five figures (or more) of college debt.
Robinson also shoved a plea about climate crisis in the last two chapters, and while I understand many of his points, it read more like a man who'd bitten off too much. Trying to cram it all into one book. There's a lot of inspirational stories, but less concrete concepts on how to shape the world for the better via your Element. And The Element itself is another buzzy phrase like "follow your passion" and "do what you love". Not quite as profound as he thinks it is. While it's not nearly as catchy, I'll pass on The Element and heed these words instead:
"Passion is too important to be without, but too fickle to be guided by. Which is why I’m more inclined to say, 'Don’t Follow Your Passion, But Always Bring it With You." ~ Mike Rowe
The Courier by C.W. Browning
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.0
The Short of It
Be aware of what you're getting: a 32k (ish) novella, a character that can be too good to be true, wrapped in an entertaining - if flawed - historical thriller.
The Longer of It: Good Start That Needs More Imperfections
I originally found the author, C.W. Browning, after coming across [book:The Oslo Affair|53417105] and being enamored by that striking cover. I had to read the summary, and when I found it was a series, I wanted to start from the top. If the title (Shadows of War #0.5) doesn't make it clear, The Courier is a prequel novella, where we learn about Evelyn Ainworth before she becomes a MI6 Agent.
The book is a solid three stars for me. Though I could have given it three and a half. I didn't, primarily because Evelyn was a little too perfect. Not only is she a well-to-do, born and bred English woman of wealth, she's also a polyglot, a martial arts student, a brilliant mind, as well as a social and gender-roles nonconformist. Plus, I want to say at least two or three suitors are mentioned as carrying torches for her, and pretty much everyone (except for the baddies, of course) just adore her.
Again, with the exception of two Nazi officers, her biggest foes are (mentioned) her mother wanting to marry her off to a suitor of equal or better station, and her father being mildly to moderately concerned about Evelyn being too clever for her own good. Turns out he's right. More on that later.
If this were toned down, I could easily give it four stars. Evelyn is a very likable young lady. The small cast of characters assembled around her feel fleshed out enough for the page length. There are several I like and look forward to hearing more about: her father (though he apparently he dies suddenly in the next one, which is on the back of the book, so I'm not marking it as a spoiler), William and Josephine. I also want to know what becomes of Karl. I think that's plenty to engage me to read the next, full, novel.
Criticisms I have:
1. I hated the chapter that was from Voss' point of view. We already know the Nazis win - at least for a while - and having to be in his head made me angry. I couldn't wait until I was back to someone else, anyone else. I hope there isn't a lot of his POV in the other books. Depending on how it goes, that could make me stop reading further.
2. As mentioned, Evelyn is mostly flawless. To the point that on her very first mission, she directly ignores the advice of a seasoned agent, and still comes out unharmed. Barring a case of the shakes and one sleepless night.
She does exactly what she was told not to do, and escapes with minimal consequences. You'll know the screw up when you get there. It actually made me groan, bury my head in my hands, and step away for a minute. This would be excusable if she was actually portrayed as more incapable.
But she can take down a grown man with martial arts, saunter right up to an SS officer then leave unscathed, and even finds an ally in her time of need. Without more than a "trust me", and no actual proof that this person is on her side, Evelyn follows and escapes to live another day. I would be okay with all this, if she's now a target of the SS, and has to face the consequences in the future.
3. I have a hard time believing two things, a) that Wing Chun is a viable self-defense, and b) a woman would be allowed to learn it prior to the 80s. Maybe the 60s. According to my - albeit, incomplete - research, Wing Chun is built on "forms", or collections of chained maneuvers and attacks. But they're more about looking fancy than saving your own skin. I've read it works better in close combat, but that's usually the last thing a woman wants in a fight. Where she can (typically) be easily overpowered.
Depending on who you ask, Wing Chun is also mocked as complete bullshit. Which is why it made me roll my eyes. I have doubts about how much the author researched martial arts. I suspect she thought it sounded cool, did a little Googling, and put it in there. It reads a little as the mystical Asian trope. Where the wise Asian man teaches the foreigner his exotic skills, and the student masters them, often surpassing the master who has dedicated their life to it.
If this were a movie there'd be a musical montage. If it were a white man, this would likely be considered racist. But Evelyn is a white girl so it's fine. The owner of the school spots her hiding behind a fence, and without considering whether she's a threat or not, sees something in her - all without words - and accepts her as a student. I would find this more believable (and hilarious) if her father begged the guy to take her, because he needed something to keep Evelyn busy. Or because the teacher saw a bored, white girl with money.
It would also help if we actually saw Evelyn sparring with other students beforehand. Especially if she sparred and failed. Because, for example, she's so good at languages, she's not used to being unable to master something quickly. The training forces her to overcome obstacles she's never faced before. Character growth! Challenges! Actual struggle! But the novella isn't about that. It's about making her the Black Widow / Natasha Romanoff of WWII. With more money and less trauma.
We never see Evelyn fight a single time, prior to the big scene in the library. We hear mentions of her continuing to train, but not once do we see her fight someone her size (or larger). I'm giving Browning one "she caught him by surprise" token for this. It's been cashed. If her super-duper martial arts skills aren't tested in the next one, I'm out.
Sidebar related to the library scene: why didn't she just put them in her bra or underwear? Couldn't she have gone to the ladies' room and tucked them away? Surely, she'd be safe long enough, especially if she was able to follow someone inside. It would make the agent extremely suspicious to any other women present. While I think the end reveal is charming and clever, I immediately thought she was going to stash them under her blouse.
Evelyn also has the scent of "new author" syndrome. She's not drenched in it, but it is there. She's too good to be true at points. She has no flaws, except perhaps taking the task too lightly and valuing her own skill too heavily. Neither of which do any lasting harm in this book. Hopefully this will change in the future, and her own frivolity and hubris will land her in some real trouble.
I don't know how long Browning has been writing, but according the Amazon paperback publishing dates, the entire series - all four books - have been published in under a year. Exactly, 11 months and 11 days, if my numbers are correct. They're listed as self-published, if any publisher is listed at all. Now, neither of these are bad, but they do make me suspicious. 80-90% of the books I've read that are self-published have been shit.
This isn't Browning's first story, she published three books <a hef="https://www.goodreads.com/series/111422-exit">[The Exit Series]</a> in under two years. Took a break for over three and half years, and published another <i>four</i> books in just under 14 months. Plus another one in third series, [book:Games of Deceit|55427377]. Maybe she's just that damn fast. Maybe she has planning skills, typing speeds, and discipline that would make Patrick Rothfuss weep. I tip my hat to her. But she could also use an editor that caught her Americanisms, and helped her steer Evelyn away from the strong currents of the Mary Sue Sea.
After all these words three stars probably seems high, right? Ultimately, I think Browning has a good world started here. Evelyn is a fun character - like Peggy Carter, Agent 99, or Sarah Bartowski - and I hope she grows and matures as the series continues. The tension in both the earlier conversation with Voss, and the later confrontation with the SS was top notch. Browning can write excellent scenes of peril and tension. The book was a fun, quick read (clocking in at 2 hours) and has me intrigued enough to continue Evelyn's story with the next book.
[Edit, later in the day] OH! I completely forgot that in the final (or second to, I can't remember) chapter she recaps the entire investigation to Bill! Why, why would you do? The novella is hardly a tome of thousands of words. This is another example of needing a stronger editor, because that screamed "word padding" in bright neon lights.
Be aware of what you're getting: a 32k (ish) novella, a character that can be too good to be true, wrapped in an entertaining - if flawed - historical thriller.
The Longer of It: Good Start That Needs More Imperfections
I originally found the author, C.W. Browning, after coming across [book:The Oslo Affair|53417105] and being enamored by that striking cover. I had to read the summary, and when I found it was a series, I wanted to start from the top. If the title (Shadows of War #0.5) doesn't make it clear, The Courier is a prequel novella, where we learn about Evelyn Ainworth before she becomes a MI6 Agent.
The book is a solid three stars for me. Though I could have given it three and a half. I didn't, primarily because Evelyn was a little too perfect. Not only is she a well-to-do, born and bred English woman of wealth, she's also a polyglot, a martial arts student, a brilliant mind, as well as a social and gender-roles nonconformist. Plus, I want to say at least two or three suitors are mentioned as carrying torches for her, and pretty much everyone (except for the baddies, of course) just adore her.
Again, with the exception of two Nazi officers, her biggest foes are (mentioned) her mother wanting to marry her off to a suitor of equal or better station, and her father being mildly to moderately concerned about Evelyn being too clever for her own good. Turns out he's right. More on that later.
If this were toned down, I could easily give it four stars. Evelyn is a very likable young lady. The small cast of characters assembled around her feel fleshed out enough for the page length. There are several I like and look forward to hearing more about: her father (though he apparently he dies suddenly in the next one, which is on the back of the book, so I'm not marking it as a spoiler), William and Josephine. I also want to know what becomes of Karl. I think that's plenty to engage me to read the next, full, novel.
Criticisms I have:
1. I hated the chapter that was from Voss' point of view. We already know the Nazis win - at least for a while - and having to be in his head made me angry. I couldn't wait until I was back to someone else, anyone else. I hope there isn't a lot of his POV in the other books. Depending on how it goes, that could make me stop reading further.
2. As mentioned, Evelyn is mostly flawless. To the point that on her very first mission, she directly ignores the advice of a seasoned agent, and still comes out unharmed. Barring a case of the shakes and one sleepless night.
She does exactly what she was told not to do, and escapes with minimal consequences. You'll know the screw up when you get there. It actually made me groan, bury my head in my hands, and step away for a minute. This would be excusable if she was actually portrayed as more incapable.
But she can take down a grown man with martial arts, saunter right up to an SS officer then leave unscathed, and even finds an ally in her time of need. Without more than a "trust me", and no actual proof that this person is on her side, Evelyn follows and escapes to live another day. I would be okay with all this, if she's now a target of the SS, and has to face the consequences in the future.
3. I have a hard time believing two things, a) that Wing Chun is a viable self-defense, and b) a woman would be allowed to learn it prior to the 80s. Maybe the 60s. According to my - albeit, incomplete - research, Wing Chun is built on "forms", or collections of chained maneuvers and attacks. But they're more about looking fancy than saving your own skin. I've read it works better in close combat, but that's usually the last thing a woman wants in a fight. Where she can (typically) be easily overpowered.
Depending on who you ask, Wing Chun is also mocked as complete bullshit. Which is why it made me roll my eyes. I have doubts about how much the author researched martial arts. I suspect she thought it sounded cool, did a little Googling, and put it in there. It reads a little as the mystical Asian trope. Where the wise Asian man teaches the foreigner his exotic skills, and the student masters them, often surpassing the master who has dedicated their life to it.
If this were a movie there'd be a musical montage. If it were a white man, this would likely be considered racist. But Evelyn is a white girl so it's fine. The owner of the school spots her hiding behind a fence, and without considering whether she's a threat or not, sees something in her - all without words - and accepts her as a student. I would find this more believable (and hilarious) if her father begged the guy to take her, because he needed something to keep Evelyn busy. Or because the teacher saw a bored, white girl with money.
It would also help if we actually saw Evelyn sparring with other students beforehand. Especially if she sparred and failed. Because, for example, she's so good at languages, she's not used to being unable to master something quickly. The training forces her to overcome obstacles she's never faced before. Character growth! Challenges! Actual struggle! But the novella isn't about that. It's about making her the Black Widow / Natasha Romanoff of WWII. With more money and less trauma.
We never see Evelyn fight a single time, prior to the big scene in the library. We hear mentions of her continuing to train, but not once do we see her fight someone her size (or larger). I'm giving Browning one "she caught him by surprise" token for this. It's been cashed. If her super-duper martial arts skills aren't tested in the next one, I'm out.
Sidebar related to the library scene: why didn't she just put them in her bra or underwear? Couldn't she have gone to the ladies' room and tucked them away? Surely, she'd be safe long enough, especially if she was able to follow someone inside. It would make the agent extremely suspicious to any other women present. While I think the end reveal is charming and clever, I immediately thought she was going to stash them under her blouse.
Evelyn also has the scent of "new author" syndrome. She's not drenched in it, but it is there. She's too good to be true at points. She has no flaws, except perhaps taking the task too lightly and valuing her own skill too heavily. Neither of which do any lasting harm in this book. Hopefully this will change in the future, and her own frivolity and hubris will land her in some real trouble.
I don't know how long Browning has been writing, but according the Amazon paperback publishing dates, the entire series - all four books - have been published in under a year. Exactly, 11 months and 11 days, if my numbers are correct. They're listed as self-published, if any publisher is listed at all. Now, neither of these are bad, but they do make me suspicious. 80-90% of the books I've read that are self-published have been shit.
This isn't Browning's first story, she published three books <a hef="https://www.goodreads.com/series/111422-exit">[The Exit Series]</a> in under two years. Took a break for over three and half years, and published another <i>four</i> books in just under 14 months. Plus another one in third series, [book:Games of Deceit|55427377]. Maybe she's just that damn fast. Maybe she has planning skills, typing speeds, and discipline that would make Patrick Rothfuss weep. I tip my hat to her. But she could also use an editor that caught her Americanisms, and helped her steer Evelyn away from the strong currents of the Mary Sue Sea.
After all these words three stars probably seems high, right? Ultimately, I think Browning has a good world started here. Evelyn is a fun character - like Peggy Carter, Agent 99, or Sarah Bartowski - and I hope she grows and matures as the series continues. The tension in both the earlier conversation with Voss, and the later confrontation with the SS was top notch. Browning can write excellent scenes of peril and tension. The book was a fun, quick read (clocking in at 2 hours) and has me intrigued enough to continue Evelyn's story with the next book.
[Edit, later in the day] OH! I completely forgot that in the final (or second to, I can't remember) chapter she recaps the entire investigation to Bill! Why, why would you do? The novella is hardly a tome of thousands of words. This is another example of needing a stronger editor, because that screamed "word padding" in bright neon lights.
Murder in the Telephone Exchange by June Wright
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Since When Did "Feisty" Become Synonymous with Disrespectful and Rude?
I don't understand how this book has such glowing reviews - mostly on Goodreads. While it starts out fun and interesting (though in need of a strong editor), by the middle it became a slog, and once I finally hit the end it was both too much and not enough.
While she was somewhat insufferable to start, by the end of the novel I loathed Maggie. Both as a character and a protagonist. The last four chapters or so were a borderline hate read. I kept trudging along because I wanted to find out what happened to the final victim, one of the few characters I liked.
I really enjoyed the era and location, and would love to read more set in either the 40s/50s or Australia. Though I'm not sure being set in Australia added much to the story beyond weather and scenery filler, in the end. Though ... there is at least one clue that's dependent on weather. It also does make me want to research things like boarding house living, and early telephone technology.
My biggest two issues are: 1) this book is too long. Easily fifty pages too long. The author (and, by extension) Maggie spend a large portion of the novel repeating herself. Sometimes two or three times, in order to catch characters up with the plot. Which is annoying as a reader, because I already know what's happened. Summarize, for God's sake. I can't decide of Wright forgot, didn't trust her readers to follow, or just needed a bigger word count. But sweet mother of God!
2) Maggie herself becomes incredibly hard to give a sh*t about by the third act. I wanted to keep curse words out of this review, but that's the frankest way I can say it. I didn't give a d*mn about her in the end. She's so certain that she's so clever, more-so than the police, her best-friend, than everyone. She treats people whom she should respect - bare minimum - like dirt. Calls her own mother by her first name through the entire book. Calls her father "old man". Talks shit about her boss, looks down on fellow coworkers, and is even wildly jealous of her best-friend at times. There were so many rude, unnecessary uses of "Shut up!" in the first few chapters, I almost quit reading. She's not a nice person, yet she thinks she's better than everyone around her, and they should be so impressed by her wit and charm. She's a bratty little b*tch who thinks she's a grown woman.
And of course, when it all shakes out and the culprit is revealed, Maggie suddenly just knew and of course she no longer likes the person, even though she's been fawning over them for most of the f*cking book. While there are quite a few interesting twists and characters I like (Mac, Patterson, Dan, Matherson, Charlotte) the reveal of the murderer was no surprise. Said character was constantly thrust into scenes they shouldn't have been in, if Wright was attempting to be subtle about it. And there were at least two events I can think of where they were obviously guilty.
I will say there were two surprises, I anticipated one character being pregnant, and they were not. I did not noodle out the killer's exact motivations until the end. I assumed it was - at least impart - due to an affair, but it was not.
Sorry this review is so messy, I'm just rather annoyed that I wasted ten hours on this. Also, unless you want to be severely let down, don't read the beginning history until you've finished. While the history behind the publication is interesting, I think it vastly oversells the finished product. They even try to put it in the same class as Agatha Christie, which it is not.
Lastly, I know a previous reviewer said there was a "low-key" lesbian in this book, which I just did not see. I do wonder if this is a case of changing times and seeing what one wants to see, because if I was looking for LGBT books and got a low-key lesbian non-plot, I'd be p*ssed that someone wasted my time.
Update, 5/9/2021: Having just read Murder on the Orient Express for the first time, in about four hours, I can assure you this is nothing like Agatha Christie. Nothing. Christie knows how to get to a damn point. The writing is crisp, effective, and entertaining. With very little fiddle-faddle to get in the way. I'd call it lean, in the sense that everything matters without being overwrought. This is not Agatha Christie at all.
I don't understand how this book has such glowing reviews - mostly on Goodreads. While it starts out fun and interesting (though in need of a strong editor), by the middle it became a slog, and once I finally hit the end it was both too much and not enough.
While she was somewhat insufferable to start, by the end of the novel I loathed Maggie. Both as a character and a protagonist. The last four chapters or so were a borderline hate read. I kept trudging along because I wanted to find out what happened to the final victim, one of the few characters I liked.
I really enjoyed the era and location, and would love to read more set in either the 40s/50s or Australia. Though I'm not sure being set in Australia added much to the story beyond weather and scenery filler, in the end. Though ... there is at least one clue that's dependent on weather. It also does make me want to research things like boarding house living, and early telephone technology.
My biggest two issues are: 1) this book is too long. Easily fifty pages too long. The author (and, by extension) Maggie spend a large portion of the novel repeating herself. Sometimes two or three times, in order to catch characters up with the plot. Which is annoying as a reader, because I already know what's happened. Summarize, for God's sake. I can't decide of Wright forgot, didn't trust her readers to follow, or just needed a bigger word count. But sweet mother of God!
2) Maggie herself becomes incredibly hard to give a sh*t about by the third act. I wanted to keep curse words out of this review, but that's the frankest way I can say it. I didn't give a d*mn about her in the end. She's so certain that she's so clever, more-so than the police, her best-friend, than everyone. She treats people whom she should respect - bare minimum - like dirt. Calls her own mother by her first name through the entire book. Calls her father "old man". Talks shit about her boss, looks down on fellow coworkers, and is even wildly jealous of her best-friend at times. There were so many rude, unnecessary uses of "Shut up!" in the first few chapters, I almost quit reading. She's not a nice person, yet she thinks she's better than everyone around her, and they should be so impressed by her wit and charm. She's a bratty little b*tch who thinks she's a grown woman.
And of course, when it all shakes out and the culprit is revealed, Maggie suddenly just knew and of course she no longer likes the person, even though she's been fawning over them for most of the f*cking book. While there are quite a few interesting twists and characters I like (Mac, Patterson, Dan, Matherson, Charlotte) the reveal of the murderer was no surprise. Said character was constantly thrust into scenes they shouldn't have been in, if Wright was attempting to be subtle about it. And there were at least two events I can think of where they were obviously guilty.
I will say there were two surprises, I anticipated one character being pregnant, and they were not. I did not noodle out the killer's exact motivations until the end. I assumed it was - at least impart - due to an affair, but it was not.
Sorry this review is so messy, I'm just rather annoyed that I wasted ten hours on this. Also, unless you want to be severely let down, don't read the beginning history until you've finished. While the history behind the publication is interesting, I think it vastly oversells the finished product. They even try to put it in the same class as Agatha Christie, which it is not.
Lastly, I know a previous reviewer said there was a "low-key" lesbian in this book, which I just did not see. I do wonder if this is a case of changing times and seeing what one wants to see, because if I was looking for LGBT books and got a low-key lesbian non-plot, I'd be p*ssed that someone wasted my time.
Update, 5/9/2021: Having just read Murder on the Orient Express for the first time, in about four hours, I can assure you this is nothing like Agatha Christie. Nothing. Christie knows how to get to a damn point. The writing is crisp, effective, and entertaining. With very little fiddle-faddle to get in the way. I'd call it lean, in the sense that everything matters without being overwrought. This is not Agatha Christie at all.
Profiteroles and Poison by Agatha Frost
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
This was a good outing in the Peridale series, not the worst but not the best. There was red herring that felt weird and underdeveloped. First the "villain" is bonkers crazy, and then normal again, and finally showing up at the victim's door easy as you please.
I understand Frost was trying to keep readers on their toes, but it felt weak. While I enjoyed the characters, mystery, and ultimate comeuppance of the villain, I wouldn't mind a *little* meatier of a murder next go round.
Also, how many murders have occurred in this village in 4-5 years? God lord! This has to be some sort of small town murder capital at this point.
Lastly, Jessie continues to be a major highlight of the series for me. The final scenes in the book with her and Julia often leave me teary-eyed. I wouldn't mind a murder or two featuring Jessie as a suspect in the future, or Jessie, Barker, and Julia having a PI business together.
My one major issue continues to be the same one I've always had, Julia regularly throws herself in danger with gusto. Frequently in the stupidest manner possible. And now she's pregnant and it's still happening. It's 2021, Frost, surely there's a way for Julia to still be a super-sleuth with a little distance.
This is where I think working with Jessie, Barker, and even Alfie could be useful. Let them go out and collect data, allowing Julia to do electronic sleuthing or one-on-one work. Putting her directly in the danger is stupid, and people should be calling her out on it. I can't believe Jessie, especially, hasn't said something.
Lastly, if I have to read about Alfie playing with his lip ring one more time I might throw something. Or Dot "push up" her hair and fiddle with her brooch. For the love of all that is holy, stop leaning on physical tics to try and cover for the lack of character development.
Speaking of character development, Jessie is the best example of it, but Katie continues to grow on me as the series rolls on. I hope that keeps up! I never expected to like her, but it's been heart-warming to watch her grow.
Despite this, I do enjoy the series. I think Frost's new Claire's Candles is quickly becoming the much stronger series, but Peridale is still a lovely place to visit for a pleasant read. 3/5 for me!
I understand Frost was trying to keep readers on their toes, but it felt weak. While I enjoyed the characters, mystery, and ultimate comeuppance of the villain, I wouldn't mind a *little* meatier of a murder next go round.
Also, how many murders have occurred in this village in 4-5 years? God lord! This has to be some sort of small town murder capital at this point.
Lastly, Jessie continues to be a major highlight of the series for me. The final scenes in the book with her and Julia often leave me teary-eyed. I wouldn't mind a murder or two featuring Jessie as a suspect in the future, or Jessie, Barker, and Julia having a PI business together.
My one major issue continues to be the same one I've always had, Julia regularly throws herself in danger with gusto. Frequently in the stupidest manner possible. And now she's pregnant and it's still happening. It's 2021, Frost, surely there's a way for Julia to still be a super-sleuth with a little distance.
This is where I think working with Jessie, Barker, and even Alfie could be useful. Let them go out and collect data, allowing Julia to do electronic sleuthing or one-on-one work. Putting her directly in the danger is stupid, and people should be calling her out on it. I can't believe Jessie, especially, hasn't said something.
Lastly, if I have to read about Alfie playing with his lip ring one more time I might throw something. Or Dot "push up" her hair and fiddle with her brooch. For the love of all that is holy, stop leaning on physical tics to try and cover for the lack of character development.
Speaking of character development, Jessie is the best example of it, but Katie continues to grow on me as the series rolls on. I hope that keeps up! I never expected to like her, but it's been heart-warming to watch her grow.
Despite this, I do enjoy the series. I think Frost's new Claire's Candles is quickly becoming the much stronger series, but Peridale is still a lovely place to visit for a pleasant read. 3/5 for me!