Interesting concept - disappointing execution
Although I had high hopes of an unusual and interesting story that re-imagined the story of Adam and Eve and dealt with issues of Biblical literalism and scientific knowledge, I was disappointed with Sena Jeter Naslund’s new novel Adam and Eve. The story just didn't make sense and the characters were wooden and unconvincing, almost caricatures of the philosophical positions they represented. It felt a lot like a mash-up of sci-fi tale, political thriller, romantic idyll and lessons in ancient art and biblical discovery, with none of the threads developed enough to be credible. There are moments of descriptive beauty, especially in the long middle section in a modern-day Eden, but all in all the story line was just too far-fetched and the characters unengaging.
Rated of 5
by Cynthia A.
Adam and Eve
Disappointing. Good idea for a book, but the read was not enjoyable. Characters and ideas were not developed. Descriptions were more comparisons and the comparisons didn't match up. It seemed as if whole parts of the story were left out. The words used were not from every day language. A forgettable book.
Rated of 5
by BJ N.H. (Valley Village, CA)
Adam & Eve
Question: What do you get when you mix The DaVinci Code, Eat Pray Love, McGyver, Clan of the Cave Bear and ET all together; using plot contrivance and non stop eye rolling coincidences to propel characters, first clothed in Amsterdam, then naked in Eden, later clothed in Italian linen in France, as they struggle along their personal spiritual journeys while doing battle with a secret society lead by a deranged rabbi, a fundamentalist Muslim, and a Christian physicist hell bent on destroying newly found discoveries that will greatly impact the world? Answer: a 335- page disaster.
Rated of 5
by Joan B. (Ellicott City, MD)
Adam and Eve
I have been struggling valiantly to read this book. Unfortunately, it seems that the review will not be in a timely manner. So here is what I am thinking. I love the word choices and sentence structure Naslund uses. Her descriptive passages show the reader the setting of the story. But, it is the story that gave me trouble. I did not like nor could identify with the characters. The mixture of fantasy and realism showed me little of science or faith. I was a Science teacher and really wanted to enjoy this book.
Rated of 5
by Rosemary K. (Saginaw, MI)
Get me out of here!
Sena Jeter Naslund's latest effort is a dreadful book: the plot is pretentious; most of the characters are unbearable. The author, in her elaborate scheme, promises wonders, but what she delivers is meager.
The character of Adam was especially maddening. It was sheer torture reading the sections about him and "Eve." I also got weary of references to the "memory stick," which somehow always survived. Coincidences abounded. I'm usually able to suspend my disbelief, but not to this extent.
The ending was not satisfying, although I was relieved to close the book at last.
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of 5
by Pam S. (Wellesley, MA)
of 5
by Cynthia A.
