Tonight was book club night. Even though I don't always make it to the end of every book that is chosen I've been trying to make it to most of our get-togethers. This evening found only four of us around the table but there was still much to be discussed. Can a writer use too many similes? Must we read 10 pages of detail about the killing of a goat? How much vivid should the writing be when describing a child who is vomiting in the back seat of a car? And must that detail go on for pages and pages?
Sing, Unburied, Sing was a grim read filled with a little too much throw-up talk and although some of the similes left a mark on some group members- "He matched the sky, which hung low, a silver colander full to leak"- others were not as impressed. So readers, if you're looking for something big on feeling and big on descriptive details and figurative language this may be the read for you.
Me? I heard enough to put this one back on the shelf for another time. I'm not up for a bleak read right now, but who knows? I might be just what I need on another day.
6 hours ago
I know what you mean about too many similes. Sometimes it just takes you out of the book. I have been in a book group for many years, and it's always so wonderful to reconnect with those people. It makes it even better when you share a great book. There's always next time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of lots of descriptive writing. I would probably have left this on the shelf too. But what fun to be a part of a book club!
ReplyDeleteHmm - I can relate to the silver colander full to leak...feel like that's been hanging over my head recently. But, I too, couldn't go with grim or bleak these days. Have you read Code Girls? Loved it.
ReplyDeleteThis book had mixed reviews when my book club read it, too. I think bleak is the right word for it. I really liked it, though it’s one of those books that feels weird to say you liked.
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