Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)From the first words I was enchanted with wonderful descriptions along with moody creative suggestions but far too few light hints about the real story. Initially it was almost difficult to put the book down because the author does create gorgeous sequences the reader can almost touch or smell or feel but... too soon the intriguing moody references seemed to overtake the developing story. I found trying to make sense of the plot more and more foggy & tiresome. Once the story began to unfold the constant back & forth with various characters and time twists grew more and more confusing to keep straight.
I thoroughly enjoy a book that paints a picture and reveals the skeletons of its story with exquisite use of imagery, but when the reader's patience is tested repeatedly it reminds me of a special effects movie where the director gets wrapped into the computer generated side rather than the story itself.
The book cover jacket tried comparing this to "Rebecca," with a powerful and haunting story buired beneath the darkness and moodiness of the setting. That was my lure to want to read more. This author seemed in love with her ability to create intrigue in the French countryside but she lost sight of "hooking" the reader. As I lumbered to the conclusion it felt more like I'd endured rather than satisfied I finished it. What began as a disguised love story grew more and more predictable. In other words, I had the ending pretty much figured out with more than 100+ pages still to read.
This book didn't do it for me. I felt like I was plowing thru far too many mood sequences, bits & pieces of contributions to the end result which was disappointing and less than satisfying.
I applaud the author's wonderful use of a wanton vocabulary of description; still, it was as though I had to plod through 75% of adjectives and quirky time changes to get to the remaining 25% of plot. Ugh!
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Lantern: A Novel
0 comments:
Post a Comment