“This is a damn solid read.
If you’re a person who uses the word “meandering” as a way of criticizing a book, then skip this one. DO READ one of Poe Ballantine’s other books because he is an excellent writer you should get to know, but what I’m saying is that if you’ve got a problem with a story that doesn’t have a very clear, linear progression, this one might not be the right choice. If you’re looking for a plot-driven novel with a Scooby-Doo reveal, take a pass here.
I don’t want to just address criticisms here…but I’ve read a few things about Ballantine being an unlikable character. This, my friends, is a criticism I’m sort of over, in general.
I don’t have to like a guy or agree with him to find his story interesting. Nor do I need my “characters” (in quotes because in this case the cast is composed of actual, real people) to present themselves as fully-formed people who know what the fuck they’re doing.
I don’t need them to be right all the time. Because honestly, I don’t see a lot of point in reading something that’s about being fair to all parties involved. A voiceless, dimensionless pack of pages that tells me what happened and then how I should think about what happened. I’d prefer to hear a more one-sided account of things. I’m a grownup. I understand that this is one person’s perspective, and as an empathetic human I can understand that other parties would almost certainly tell the same story differently.
I don’t have to share the point of view of a narrator to enjoy a book, nor does my enjoyment of a book mean I endorse the narrator’s beliefs. Guys, if I want a book where the author shares my every belief and point of view, I’ll have to write the goddamn thing myself.
What needs separation is whether you don’t enjoy the character, the choices made or the character’s viewpoint, or if you don’t like the writing.
Is it the point of view or the expression of that point of view?
Yes, a character can come off as whiny or obnoxious, or the opinions can be so skewed and bizarre or touch on an issue close to your heart, and if that happens you’ll never enjoy it. Just accept it.
But if a book is well-written, you’ll read it regardless. Because although you might not agree with the point of view, its presentation is beautifully done.
Or maybe you won’t. I don’t know. I would just encourage readers to ask themselves before criticizing a book because they “didn’t like” the characters. Did you dislike them because they said and did things you wouldn’t do? Or that you think are bad? Or did you dislike them because the way they presented the material just didn’t cut it?
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