Prophecy: An Historical Thriller
by S.J. Parris
Mixed response (3/17/2011)
I think that I should like this book more than I do. It meets all the criteria for a good historical mystery, and is well written, though not beautifully written, as one of the editorial reviews states. The plot is well crafted, The period detail is good. Despite all these good things, there is something missing, perhaps in the characterizations, that left me emotionally uninvolved, and thus, disappointed overall.
Snowdrops: A Novel
by A.D. Miller
Enter the emptiness of the hollow man (men) (11/28/2010)
If you want to visit Russia during its early experimentation with capitalism, Snow Drops could be a tourist guide to a bleak social realm, although much of the emptiness comes from an expatriate British lawyer who is the protagonist.
The setting and ambiance were unusually effective,the plot satisfactory, and character development disturbing. I frequently found myself remembering lines from The Hollow Men as I read, and thinking this was a novel about them.
Despite all the gloom, I would quite strongly recommend this book for the discomfiting experience it provides.
Juliet
by Anne Fortier
Juliet, an alternative origin to the tale of Romeo and Juliet (7/8/2010)
A good read. The plot is intriguing and quite well developed. The writing is generally good, but not great literature. Characters are fairly well realized and interesting. Setting is nicely described. There is clumsiness with language at times, reading like a trashy romance, and suggestive of an editor who fell short. There is nothing thought provoking in this novel.
If you want an enjoyable beach read, "Juliet" would be a reasonable choice.
