Title: Givens Up
Product review: David Guterson can write well; that much is evident in "Snow Falling on Cedars." But this book fails as a follow-up to that novel. In fact, about one hundred pages to the end, I've just given up. I find little to recommend in this novel. Most of the characters are cliched, two-dimensional creations, and the plot (what little there is of it) just plods along; about all that can be praised in the novel is Guterson's way with a descriptive phrase. I found Ben's wartime experiences jolting interruptions to the flow of the novel. The whole thing sort of seems just thrown together. I happened to read the last page, and am glad I didn't waste my time with the preceding hundred or so pages. Maybe Guterson will fare better with his third novel. Let's hope so.
Would you say this review depicts the product in a flattering or unflattering light?
