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spootilious's reviews
119 reviews
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first thing I ever heard about this book was how long it is! Coming in at 848 pages its definitely large. However, when you take into account the massive margins, the page breaks, and the glossary and timeline it’s looks fad larger than it actually is. Though, I think those of us that have actually read the book would agree that the enormity of this book does not stop at its physical girth. The book seems to drag and stretch at different parts of the story making it seem longer than it is. Then the final climax seems to rush by in the blink of an eye.
Honestly, however, that is one of the only complaints I have regarding this novel. Aside from that I just wanted more world building. Shannon focuses so much on the politics and religion of the world, barely brushing on culture customs or Intricacies that it leaves me wanting. Yes that would make the book longer, but I also feel this book would work wonderfully as a series. As a series it would also allow for more of these details. Shannon is incredible at building characters and plot that I have no doubt with a little more world building she’d be up there with Jordan and Sanderson, maybe even Tolkien.
As it stands The Priory of the Orange Grove is engaging and exciting read! Filled with diversity, LGBTQ+ representation, plot twists and an exploration of religion, myth, and the human condition it transcends traditional fantasy. It represents these characters the way they are meant to be seen: as people and not the token gay/non-white character. It’s not flaunted in your face or forcefully pulled to the front in an unnatural way. This book does what I wish all books would: it recognizes our differences as people in passing because that is all that they are, small things that make us different kinds of people but people all the same.
Shannon also has a way with language that continuously had me coming back for more. Her dialog drew attention to the different cultures throughout the book. Her descriptors made each scene almost dream like with its intensity and softness.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone with a deep love for fantasy.
Return of the Dragon Slayers by Brandon Mull
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5/5
I’m deeply saddened by the conclusion of one of my favorite Young Adult series, but I am always excited to read a new adventure in the Fablehaven world.
I have to admit, I was fairly disappointed with Return of the Dragon Slayers. I enjoyed the book well enough, but it certainly lacked the hold the rest of the series seemed to have on me. It felt almost as if Mull needed a break from the series, so he crammed what needed to be two books into one. There was so much happening in so many different places that there wasn’t much flushing out. It almost read like a point-to-point iteration of events (i.e., the reader was told what was happening rather than feeling as if they were experiencing it). I felt that if Mull had stretched some of the events into a sixth book and gave us more detail and emotion that I would be more than happy with the ending of this series.
As it stands, the ending also felt a bit too open ended for the final installment of Fablehaven/Dragonwatch. I would have loved to have seen an epilogue; perhaps a conclusion to Calvin’s story or the giants as well as our two main characters.
Speaking of our two main characters; this book really allowed for Seth to shine. In fact, overall I felt Kendra had always been the star of the Fablehaven books and now in Dragonwatch, Seth takes center stage throughout the series which I appreciate.
The character development throughout the book for both characters was noted and appreciated if not a bit abrupt. Kendra’s final scene left much to be desired, but I can’t fault Mull for that, he has made his name in YA Fantasy not Romance.
Other than those things Return of the Dragon Slayers had all the greatness of every other Dragonwatch books: lovable characters, decent storylines, medium paced, wonderful settings. All in all not a bad book.
To put it simply as possible: I just wanted MORE. More details, more feeling, more explanation, more everything.
Dune by Frank Herbert
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
2.5/5
I would like to preface this review by stating that this is my opinion and I understand that not everyone will agree with it. So, please don’t come at me.
I have a lot of mixed feelings regarding Dune. If I rated the book solely on my enjoyment level I would probably rate it a 0.5/5. Finishing this book took quite a bit of effort and ended up putting me in a reading slump.
However, there is a lot more to a book than just how much we enjoy the story.
Dune deserves a lot more recognition than I have given it. It is certainly a book I recommend to anyone with an interest in the history of Sci-fi/Fantasy or politics. Dune is one of the foundations of modern fiction just as the Lord of the Rings is to fantasy and Sherlock Holmes or Poirot is to Mystery. Dune has helped mold the greatest fictions of the last 56 years.
It could be said from Herbert’s acknowledgement that this book was meant as a possible ‘prediction’ of the future of mankind. That being said, it could be viewed as a discussion piece of the human condition, and in that aspect, I find the book to be intriguing.
I also had the privilege of being surrounded by a number of individuals that had read the book when it was first published as I journeyed through the pages. I am not sure how many hours we spent arguing about the representation and implication of character designs throughout the book. As a modern day reader I see the female representation throughout the novel as sexist despite the power they hold, while many of the individuals I discussed the novel with found it to be a form of female empowerment. I found the mention of homosexuality to be a form of demonization, while those who read it 56 years ago where simply astonished to see the mention of homosexuality in a novel groundbreaking. Neither of these views are right or wrong, but rather point out the difference 56 years can make. The mention of jihad could be seen as disrespectful today yet might have been seen as a rare representation then.
If Herbert’s work was meant to be a discussion point than he has certainly achieved his goal. Dune has become more than just a sci-fi novel/series, it is a study of humanity, a caution for the future, a look into the past. All of these things make the book one of my top ‘must-reads’ even though I didn’t care for the novel at all.
As for why I didn’t care for the book, there are a lot of factors that went into the low rating I’ve given Dune. First and foremost, I suppose the biggest issue I had with the book is that it is excessively monotoned. Herbert’s writing style is somber and even throughout the work, from beginning to end, with no exception. There is no palpable suspense or twist, which made it more of a trudge than my usual tenacious devouring.
I also have to admit that I didn’t care for the constant inner monologue. While inner monologue is a wonderful tool to use to express things that cannot be explained by simple context, it felt overdone throughout the work. There were many points throughout the book that it felt like a point was being beaten into the reader rather than allowing the reader to confer and interpret on their own. In other words, it felt as if I was being treated like I wasn’t intelligent enough to connect certain obvious dots.
Yet, at the same time, Herbert’s world building was so complex that I wouldn’t mind some more elaboration. That is certainly a subject I could spend hours discussing with others regarding this book, and one that I felt I didn’t get enough of throughout Dune.
To sum up, setting aside my social opinions of representation throughout the novel (which I did not include when considering my rating) I found the book to be unentertaining and extremely dry, but a wonderful exploration of the human condition and the foundation of modern Sci-fi.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
People I would recommend this book to: Enjoy sad books/warmheartedness/slice of life
People I would not: Enjoys the details/likes consistency/loves a good mystery
I came into this book like many of you, having read The House in the Cerulean Sea and loving it. Typically, I try and stay away from romance novels but the mix of LGBTQ and fantasy had me coming back for more. Which is why I ran out and bought Under the Whispering Door as soon as it was released.
I can’t say that I adored it like I did The House in the Cerulean Sea but I certainly didn’t hate it. Anyone moving from Cerulean to Whispering Door, should definitely keep in mind that they are vastly different and should not be expected to yield the same results.
Under the Whispering Door addresses death in a unique way that can be interesting at time but also causes a number of plot holes. The characters are diverse and lovable, though at time it seems a bit forced (and it seemed at times that Klune was struggling a bit with consistency the first chapter of the book had a completely different feel than any other as if it were just tacked on). The romance aspect of the novel seems to be an afterthought, and while I don’t mind this I realize that it could be a bit disappointing after The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Overall, the book was predictable and straightforward, a bit lacking but still heartwarming. I am certainly glad that I read it but will not be coming back to it.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5
So, I went into this novel with a love for Sherlock Holmes that I feel may have spoiled my experience with Christie. My obsession with Doyle has no doubt shaded my enjoyment of this book and I suppose I feel a bit guilty when I consider that fact. On top of that, I went into the first chapter already knowing who the murderer was and therefore missed out on the opportunity to be shocked by the twist ending.
All those things being said, this was in no way a bad book. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. It is wonderful to see that the novel still holds up after so much time has passed. The characters are all loveable and quirky and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I love that Hercule pokes fun at himself and focuses more on psychology rather than Holmes’ tendency towards logic. It is a stark contrast that I find quite appealing.
Overall, I suppose the user of language and the mark of a turning point in detective novels is what I loved most about this novel and can certainly understand why it is so beloved.
The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have been so hesitant to start this series. It was one of my husbands favorite series in middle school and it has been recommended to me on booktok repeatedly. I had a feeling I wasn't going to love it as much as everyone wanted me to so I put it off and put it off....
Finally... I've read it... and unfortunately I was right.
Don't get me wrong, there are some things to like about this book. It has decent characters and development, it's not restrained by the image of what a hero 'should' be. I mean Bobby (the main character) struggles with himself constantly on whether or not to choose himself over the people in danger. In that aspect it is very realistic and I applaud Machale.
However, there are some things (alot of things) that fall flat for me. First and foremost, after finishing the book I really didn't care whether I went back to it or not and I think that says more about me than the book. But, it also felt like just another generic chosen-one YA novel. There was nothing that really stood out or set it apart. I honestly couldn't understand the hype, though I am happy someone loves this book so much. Every book deserves love.
Ignoring the predictable story line and generic YA plot, Machale has a very simplistic writing style that is practically made for the genre. The first person aspect and the way he set up the journals makes a lot of sense, though I can't help wanting something a bit more that appeals to more than twelve year olds (this is not meant as an insult). There are many YA authors that manage to pull an adult audience with just their writing style (Brandon Mull and his Fablehaven series popping to mind immediately). I did not take this into consideration when I rated the book, however, because I realize that this style is a preference and does not take away from the story for most people.
I will say, though, that the book did not age well. The dialog and references made me laugh and hit me with such nostalgia that I was a bit torn as to whether or not it was a good thing. At one point, I read some of the dialog to my son and he had no idea what some of the words meant which only made me laugh more. (Again, not an insult. I actually loved that).
Overall, I had to give the two star rating because I could find a memorable thing about this book . I have not given up on the series quite yet though and hope book two will be a bit more promising.
Finally... I've read it... and unfortunately I was right.
Don't get me wrong, there are some things to like about this book. It has decent characters and development, it's not restrained by the image of what a hero 'should' be. I mean Bobby (the main character) struggles with himself constantly on whether or not to choose himself over the people in danger. In that aspect it is very realistic and I applaud Machale.
However, there are some things (alot of things) that fall flat for me. First and foremost, after finishing the book I really didn't care whether I went back to it or not and I think that says more about me than the book. But, it also felt like just another generic chosen-one YA novel. There was nothing that really stood out or set it apart. I honestly couldn't understand the hype, though I am happy someone loves this book so much. Every book deserves love.
Ignoring the predictable story line and generic YA plot, Machale has a very simplistic writing style that is practically made for the genre. The first person aspect and the way he set up the journals makes a lot of sense, though I can't help wanting something a bit more that appeals to more than twelve year olds (this is not meant as an insult). There are many YA authors that manage to pull an adult audience with just their writing style (Brandon Mull and his Fablehaven series popping to mind immediately). I did not take this into consideration when I rated the book, however, because I realize that this style is a preference and does not take away from the story for most people.
I will say, though, that the book did not age well. The dialog and references made me laugh and hit me with such nostalgia that I was a bit torn as to whether or not it was a good thing. At one point, I read some of the dialog to my son and he had no idea what some of the words meant which only made me laugh more. (Again, not an insult. I actually loved that).
Overall, I had to give the two star rating because I could find a memorable thing about this book . I have not given up on the series quite yet though and hope book two will be a bit more promising.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
I am not afraid to admit that I struggled with the book. I dove headfirst into the novel at the beginning of July, eager for LGBTQ+ Representation mixed with Greek mythos. Almost immediately I was disappointed.
The writing was stunning, with beautiful imagery and wonderful dialog. Miller is a master of her craft to be sure. However, the solemn tone of the story had me dragging my feet and a slower pace attached to it made the book for more tedious than enjoyable.
By the end of July I had barely made it to the half-way point and the book was due back to the library so I returned it and picked up one to the new releases I had also been excited for (The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker).
Today (September 1st) I hesitantly picked the novel back up and was in no way, form or fashion, disappointed.
The second half of the book is what really makes it! Filled with action, romance, bromance, prophecy, heartbreak and everything in between I devoured it! While the ‘twists’ of the prophecies are a bit on the nose Miller makes up for it in her raw display of the main characters emotions.
It has been a very long time since I have read someone who can describe the complexity of the human condition like Miller can. She doesn’t just pull her readers into her world she drowns them and by the time they come up for air they are already addicted.
The way she describes battles and atrocities is just as jarring and moving.
And the ending….
Well, I will not provide spoilers and while we all know how the classic tale ends I don’t think anyone is ever prepared for the beautiful scene Miller provides for us.
While this novel does not knock my favorite book from its pedestal, it certainly contains the best ending I have ever read and certainly will not be forgotten in the foreseeable future.
The Darkest King by Gena Showalter
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is going to be a painful review.
1 star
I believe this is the lowest rated book I’ve ever reviewed which saddens me to know end because I have been a fan of LOTU for over a decade and I really wanted to love William’s story.
Showalter failed to deliver in so many ways and her editorial staff is certainly not blameless. I put off reading this book despite having purchased it as soon as it was released because I really wanted to savor it. Imagine my disappointment when the first chapters are riddled with so many grammatical errors that it pulled me out of the fantasy.
Even looking past the poor editing the book feels as if Showalter didn’t actually want to write it. Unlike her other novels everything about this one felt forced. Sure the unicorn thing is a weird one and the dialog is always a bit cringy but the weird spin on mythical creatures and the cliché lines always held a sort of charm that I came to love with the series.
Showalter has always delivered nice twists and good battle scene and the sex was never too out of place despite there always being a lot of it. None of these things were in this book. Everything was predictable and far more cliché than could be considered ‘charming’. Half the time I felt like I was readying a bullet point outline of a first draft not the final project.
William’s and Sunny’s characteristics seemed to bounce back and forth (and I don’t mean like the duality that is mentioned) like Showalter couldn’t decide how she wanted them to act. Sure the blueprint for every book is the same: each one wants the other they don’t want to admit it conflict conflict conflict but this was so much worse.
The battle scenes were skipped over half the time and the ones that weren’t honestly needed a bit more flushing out and the ending was very bland.
I really wish I had something good to say about this book but I can’t find it. Will I stop reading the series? No. Do I still love LOTU? Yes. Am I upset with Showalter? No, I’m worried she might be growing bored of the series though and if that’s the case I’m terrified to read her next novel.
The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Golem and the Jinni review: “A wonderful historical fantasy. Wecker provides amazing imagery and has an array of multicultural characters. Looking at immigrant lives in early New York through the newborn eyes of a golem and the ancient eyes of a Jinni the ambience and cadence of this is book is definitely what makes it a gem. A refreshing twist on cultural stories the reader may already know.”
For the most part, this review is applicable regarding The Hidden Palace. Helene Wecker is a wonderful writer. She has a way of describing the world that seems to just jump off the page. Her characters are memorable and each one has a unique voice that can easily be recognized even as the pov shifts from one to another.
The story continues in The Hidden Palace, but the golem no longer sees the world with new eyes and the story becomes bogged down with the day-to-day life of the people around here. The story quickly becomes more about the events happening around them than the actual plot of the story. This saddens me mostly because the first book had a wonderful balance between the two while this one the scales are tipped making the storyline feel far more disjointed.
That being said the characters are the drive to this story. I found myself wanting to read more and more about Sophia’s journey, but all of the characters had their own charisma. In fact it has been pointed out to me recently that there is a shockingly low amount of literature that focus’ on the Yiddish and Jewish culture that does not revolve around the holocaust. The fact that these two books contain a female protagonist that could be considered Jewish is something that is seldom heard of and a fact I must commend. (Seeing as I am not Jewish I will admit I had not realized this until a Jewish friend who had recommended the books pointed it out.)
I will also say that the plot is far too predictable. The fact that these characters continuously run into one another in such a large city makes the pattern far too easy to see, but then again, I usually feel this way about many of the books I read.
All these things being said, the characters are lovable and unique, the exploration of cultures a breath of fresh air, the magical realism stunning, and surprisingly a very coherent sequel after such a long gap.
Solid 3 out of 5
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
** spoiler alert ** I quite enjoyed this book. That being said I recognize that there is a lot wrong with it. However, before I jump into the issues, lets start with the things that I liked.
Stockett brings attention to issues that were not only present during the time in which this book takes place, but some of which that are still present in today’s society. The theme of this book (prejudice and racism) is compelling and relevant even in todays society and while it is a topic that is being brought up more often within the last ten years, it is not something that is discussed enough. (I’m including prejudice because there are a few places in the book where Stockett mentions the way homosexuals are treated and while I am white and cannot pretend to truly understand the effect that the horrors that have happened throughout the centuries of racism in this country, I can acknowledge them. I am certainly not straight however and am faced with prejudice regularly due to my openness and while acceptance (in regards to lgtbq+) over the past few decades has increased we are no where near where we need to be and it isn’t often that I find even a mention of the abuse gay men and women where faced with back then. It never pulls the story too far away from the focus of racism but I did enjoy the added comments, so I felt I needed to add it here.) (That being said I’m getting away from the point)
Stockett’s descriptors are beautiful. More than once during my read I found myself smiling at the way she described this or that. She adds small details in the way a child’s laughter sounds, or the way that someone waddles rather than walks. I vividly remember how she describes one of the women, patting the back of her hair to puff it higher making it look even more like her head got stuck in a beehive. It really gives character to the world and makes me smile.
The grammatic structure of the book is also something to note. To be clear, this is not tone of the book (i.e. the dialect in which it was written), but rather her sentence structures and the way the book shifts from perspective to perspective. The transitions are done well, clean and to the point. Each character has a unique voice making it difficult to forget who is who. Sloppy transitions and poor character voice is something that has ruined books for me in the past (namely Hidden Figures which was a book I had extremely high hopes for).
Now on to the numerous issues regarding this book:
Tone is the biggest issue with The Help. While I am a bit supporter of using AAVE (African American Vernacular English) in literature it is very poorly used throughout this book. Granted, I am a southern woman who doesn’t sound anywhere near AAVE so I maybe wrong, but this is my opinion and I open to being corrected. However, I do hold a minor in linguistics and have studied AAVE intensively. It is obvious that Stockett was attempting to give an authentic voice to these women and I can respect that. However, I feel as if it could have been better executed if she limited AAVE to dialog rather than the full POV sections. It would have been far more effective when viewed by individuals that have grown up hearing AAVE in their household and communities (again I may be wrong). On the other side however, it may have brought more attention to the flaws in the version of AAVE Stockett attempts to write. This also would mean that the majority of the story would need to be rewritten in third person which could also have diluted the character voices. There is no way of knowing just how much the story would have changed if this had been done. So over all while I felt that the AAVE wasn’t perfectly executed I can understand the reasons for choosing to write the story the way she did.
Another issue with the book is Stockett’s tendency to tell and not show certain aspects of the story. Skeeter’s friendship with the other women in her bridge club for instance. We never really see their friendships (minus a tiny tiny scene with Elizabeth after Skeeter pulls her first stunt with Hilly) we are just told about it. We are told of a number of things that happen, and what is said and done, but very rarely are we pulled into the issue through the character’s emotional response. One of the women are beaten but her husband and yet we only get told of the bruises until late late chapters when Stockett talks about how she asks why he does it. With a little more emotional response this book could be a moving and tear jerking masterpiece rather than just a good book. The most emotion scenes we get out of it is the last scene between AB and the child she cares for.
The last two issues worth mention regarding the novel is just that it has a few pointless characters, and it was fairly predictable even without having seen the movie. Its one incident after another, each lighting the way to twists and turns you can see coming from a mile away. The story wouldn’t loose anything if the boyfriend character were completely removed or even the dad character (who could just be mentioned to be the owner of the truck Skeeter drives). I understand that they were used to soften the character’s persona, but honestly I wouldn’t mind if there were there or not.
Still, overall I really enjoyed the read. I highly recommend the book for anyone if you’re just looking for your next book. I wouldn’t claim that its an authentic look into the racism of Mississippi during the civil rights movement, but it does highlight some serious issues that shouldn’t be ignored.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
** spoiler alert ** I quite enjoyed this book. That being said I recognize that there is a lot wrong with it. However, before I jump into the issues, lets start with the things that I liked.
Stockett brings attention to issues that were not only present during the time in which this book takes place, but some of which that are still present in today’s society. The theme of this book (prejudice and racism) is compelling and relevant even in todays society and while it is a topic that is being brought up more often within the last ten years, it is not something that is discussed enough. (I’m including prejudice because there are a few places in the book where Stockett mentions the way homosexuals are treated and while I am white and cannot pretend to truly understand the effect that the horrors that have happened throughout the centuries of racism in this country, I can acknowledge them. I am certainly not straight however and am faced with prejudice regularly due to my openness and while acceptance (in regards to lgtbq+) over the past few decades has increased we are no where near where we need to be and it isn’t often that I find even a mention of the abuse gay men and women where faced with back then. It never pulls the story too far away from the focus of racism but I did enjoy the added comments, so I felt I needed to add it here.) (That being said I’m getting away from the point)
Stockett’s descriptors are beautiful. More than once during my read I found myself smiling at the way she described this or that. She adds small details in the way a child’s laughter sounds, or the way that someone waddles rather than walks. I vividly remember how she describes one of the women, patting the back of her hair to puff it higher making it look even more like her head got stuck in a beehive. It really gives character to the world and makes me smile.
The grammatic structure of the book is also something to note. To be clear, this is not tone of the book (i.e. the dialect in which it was written), but rather her sentence structures and the way the book shifts from perspective to perspective. The transitions are done well, clean and to the point. Each character has a unique voice making it difficult to forget who is who. Sloppy transitions and poor character voice is something that has ruined books for me in the past (namely Hidden Figures which was a book I had extremely high hopes for).
Now on to the numerous issues regarding this book:
Tone is the biggest issue with The Help. While I am a bit supporter of using AAVE (African American Vernacular English) in literature it is very poorly used throughout this book. Granted, I am a southern woman who doesn’t sound anywhere near AAVE so I maybe wrong, but this is my opinion and I open to being corrected. However, I do hold a minor in linguistics and have studied AAVE intensively. It is obvious that Stockett was attempting to give an authentic voice to these women and I can respect that. However, I feel as if it could have been better executed if she limited AAVE to dialog rather than the full POV sections. It would have been far more effective when viewed by individuals that have grown up hearing AAVE in their household and communities (again I may be wrong). On the other side however, it may have brought more attention to the flaws in the version of AAVE Stockett attempts to write. This also would mean that the majority of the story would need to be rewritten in third person which could also have diluted the character voices. There is no way of knowing just how much the story would have changed if this had been done. So over all while I felt that the AAVE wasn’t perfectly executed I can understand the reasons for choosing to write the story the way she did.
Another issue with the book is Stockett’s tendency to tell and not show certain aspects of the story. Skeeter’s friendship with the other women in her bridge club for instance. We never really see their friendships (minus a tiny tiny scene with Elizabeth after Skeeter pulls her first stunt with Hilly) we are just told about it. We are told of a number of things that happen, and what is said and done, but very rarely are we pulled into the issue through the character’s emotional response. One of the women are beaten but her husband and yet we only get told of the bruises until late late chapters when Stockett talks about how she asks why he does it. With a little more emotional response this book could be a moving and tear jerking masterpiece rather than just a good book. The most emotion scenes we get out of it is the last scene between AB and the child she cares for.
The last two issues worth mention regarding the novel is just that it has a few pointless characters, and it was fairly predictable even without having seen the movie. Its one incident after another, each lighting the way to twists and turns you can see coming from a mile away. The story wouldn’t loose anything if the boyfriend character were completely removed or even the dad character (who could just be mentioned to be the owner of the truck Skeeter drives). I understand that they were used to soften the character’s persona, but honestly I wouldn’t mind if there were there or not.
Still, overall I really enjoyed the read. I highly recommend the book for anyone if you’re just looking for your next book. I wouldn’t claim that its an authentic look into the racism of Mississippi during the civil rights movement, but it does highlight some serious issues that shouldn’t be ignored.