Negative Positive
Title: An Exceptionally Talented Writer
Review: "Veronica" is my first exposure to Mary Gaitskill's prose, but it certainly won't be my last. Her perceptions and abstractions make this book an utter delight to read. Though the character of Allison finds employment as a model, do not be deceived into thinking that "Veronica" is a fluff piece ("The Devil Wore Prada", it isn't.) And it's not a novel so much as a character study(s). Gaitskill provides deft and enlightening portraits of her creations, and her sentences are breathtakingly descriptive without being verbose.However, the book's strengths might be considered weaknesses to some; if you're looking for a once-upon-a-time and happily-ever-after formula, you likely won't find "Veronica" to be suitable reading material. On the other hand, one may discover after exploring "Veronica" that one-dimensional novel/fairy tales don't quite cut it after all. It takes an especially gifted writer to broaden a reader's horizons thusly, but I dare say Ms. Gaitskill qualifies.
Is the review positive or negative? 