The book started off quite promisingly, with the meandering thoughts of a 12 year old girl. The writing style was very unusual, but I found it amusing, and although some of the thoughts were a bit too profound for a 12 year old, overall I found it quite convincing. The book continued quite well, with the guilty thoughts of her older brother, but then it went downhill with the introduction of Amber, a stranger introduced into the household. I found her character extremely annoying, and ultimately pointless.
The reader is then confronted with several chapters of poetry. This is just weird, unnecessary, and it feels as though the author is just trying to be too clever.
It doesn’t improve. The plot just disappears, the characters become more annoying, and the stream of conscious thought becomes monotonous and dull.
Avoid it if you can.
Thanks for this review. I always appreciate an honest review, and I’ll avoid this title.
Oh!
I am so happy I gave up the book when Amber was introduced. I also enjoyed the first part very much and when I was completely unable to read on I thought I was the problem, but perhaps it is the book after all?
I read THE ACCIDENTAL and liked it a lot, it i one of thosebooks that received mixed reviews. I liked it so much that I bought 2 more books by Ali Smith.
Madeleine – It’s great to know that you enjoyed it. I’m still interested to read her other books, as the first half of this book was quite promising. Which of her books did you like best?