Title: a major disappointment
Product review: I'd read Guterson's first novel (and recommended it to several friends), his book of short stories, and his book on homeschooling (which I endorsed to my unschooling group), and I really looked forward to reading this new novel. But even three pages into it, I was sooooo disappointed. I did read the whole thing, just to be fair, but the prose is bloated and awkward, some of the characters are not consistently drawn, and the novel as written is just not good. The story itself has promise, but the manner of its telling kills it. It's coldly drawn, amateurishly written. Ironic, since at a recent reading on the tour for this book, Guterson spoke dismissively of his previous work, speaking instead of how his work in this new book demonstrated his growth as a writer. Hmmm. Since I so admired his earlier work, I should've taken that as fair warning. But I'd already advance-ordered the book through Amazon. Buyer beware! Wait til the October book sales at your local libraries!
Would you say this review depicts the product in a flattering or unflattering light?
