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Title: what's all the fuss about?
Review: Minot begins her novel well but seems to mishandle a number of the themes throughout. She allows cliche to rule the overall theme. There is a rushed or thoughtless quality to a number of important passages where her author's hand disturbs, if you will, the surface of the water into which we peer. At times her assertions undercut the events and weaken the prose and narrative.While I can see Minot has talent, I am left wondering why so many critics (in published reviews) have gone gaw-gaw over her stylistic ability. I think that is her greatest weakness- the plot is strong, the story and characters interesting, but her writing is without clarity, focus, and true insight.I judge her so harshly only because she has clearly attempted to write in a literary and timeless vein- it is my opinion that so far she has yet to fulfill the glittering praise she has harvested and this book will not stand the test of time.
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