Book Review: "Violence" by Timothy McDougall
But, if you love police procedurals or courtroom details, you might forgive the above issues. I love details. I just wish they had been more artfully folded into the story. The omniscient courtroom POV broadcast too much, told you background detail, motivations, minutia, tidbits, and thought process that didn't help the flow of the story, and in many cases, seemed unnecessary. Let it flow, Tim. Set us up, and let it rip. If this is the quality of plotting that this author can generate, I see greatness in his future. There are passages of excellent writing, in particular, when the protag takes a neurotic OCD female church office worker to dinner. The writing, dialogue, and scene twists are five-star. I wanted more of this. However, this story needed more attention to the story-telling craft. I did enjoy the story, but the overall experience was just average. It is a strong "3".
MINOR SPOILER ALERT.
And yet, for all the details, all the facts, and all the importance placed on phone usage, a key element of testimony around which the defense rested its case was never mentioned, resolved, clarified, or brought up. And I waited for it! When did the wife call the three amigos and how did she know their number? D'oh!
3 comments:
Nice review, Rick, even at a 3. I'm almost tempted to read it! Suzanne Collins is another author who wrote for television. I just finished HUNGER GAMES and am in awe of her ability to weave backstory in without her characters breaking a sweat. She did write in first person, though. And you forgive head-hopping????
You know the rule -- THE ONLY RULE: WRITERS WRITE! EVERYTHING ELSE IS A GUIDELINE. Yep, I can forgive head-hopping that is written well, purposely used, and advances the story. Like most things, it is about execution. Unfortunately, most head-hops are accidental and not spotted by the author, or weakly written and not fixed in the rush to push out a story in this age of quick of impatience. Write on, Beth. Write on.
Here's Shelia's comment that Blogpost recognizes, but doesn't ever post. Weird.
- - -
Shelia has left a new comment on your post "Book Review: "Violence" by Timothy McDougall":
Rick you are the forgiving one when it comes to reviews. I think I might critique similarly to you in that I give the greatest benefit of the doubt to the story line and forgive technique. If someone can entertain me with an interesting story and I don't feel like pulling my hair out in the middle I'll give a strong "3" as well.
Post a Comment