Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Legend of Nightfall
Well, half-read anyway. But, if you're reading this, I'd say you know that already, since you probably participated in a poll to help me decide whether to finish this... book.
And why, I'm sure you're asking, didn't I finish it? First, I'd like to incorporate by reference (lawyer terms!) all of the one and two star reviews from Amazon.
First, the characters. Paper thin. Every one. And completely unbelievable. And cliche. Insert standard criticism on how not to write here. Then there was the subtle, yet I believe unintentional, homoeroticism. Yeah, you read that last sentence right. The author is a woman, and the male characters were supposed to be straight, but they certainly didn't come across that way (and no, the cover art doesn't help). The interactions between the characters were just a bit... off. Now, don't get me wrong-- this is not a criticism motivated by homophobia. If the subtle undercurrent of homoeroticism was intentional, that would be one thing. But in this case, I think it was simply that the author didn't have the tools to properly convey an experience she was not herself familiar with. And yes, I do realize that there is probably a good deal of temporal bias in my reading of the characters. Certain relationships in pre-twentieth century literature do not always accord with our modern ideas of how affection is considered and expressed, and might seem a little odd. And, who am I to say what is acceptable, or what constitutes "straight" thinking? This could devolve into a twisted morass of gender/literary theory here. But I'm sorry, it struck me as a flaw in characterization. I didn't believe that these characters were who the author was telling me they were. They just didn't seem real. So, there are my caveats. Nonetheless, I think my criticism stands-- for whatever it's worth.
As with most badly written books, there is too much exposition. I've never been a big fan of the ubiquitous exhortation to "show don't tell," because I think it is simplistic and-- as often as not-- bad advice. But for god's sake, sometimes you have to drag that old canard out, and this time is one of them. Drop some hints, let it unfold... you don't have to explain everything for us up front. I realize this is a magical fantasy setting, but you don't have to tell me how the magic works right there in chapter one before we've even met the first sorcerer. Too much, too soon, too boring.
And the plot, oh, the plot. Nightfall is a feared assassin, thief, etc. etc. With many aliases. Many boring aliases that make the plot even more unbelievable once some of them are revealed. The peasant farmer for one. Apparently this globe-trotting rogue spends quite a bit of time... farming. How did he have time to do that? Believe me, when this little bit of backstory comes out in the book it's even lamer than I've made it sound. I don't think I could really convey the utter inanity of it. There's also an extended subplot about a shovel. I shit you not. And, of course, when things absolutely have to fall into place, they do. Convenient information is revealed at exactly the right time, every time. Characters just happen to show up when, and where, they need to for the next scene. Ugh. Awful. Avoid at all costs.
And why, I'm sure you're asking, didn't I finish it? First, I'd like to incorporate by reference (lawyer terms!) all of the one and two star reviews from Amazon.
First, the characters. Paper thin. Every one. And completely unbelievable. And cliche. Insert standard criticism on how not to write here. Then there was the subtle, yet I believe unintentional, homoeroticism. Yeah, you read that last sentence right. The author is a woman, and the male characters were supposed to be straight, but they certainly didn't come across that way (and no, the cover art doesn't help). The interactions between the characters were just a bit... off. Now, don't get me wrong-- this is not a criticism motivated by homophobia. If the subtle undercurrent of homoeroticism was intentional, that would be one thing. But in this case, I think it was simply that the author didn't have the tools to properly convey an experience she was not herself familiar with. And yes, I do realize that there is probably a good deal of temporal bias in my reading of the characters. Certain relationships in pre-twentieth century literature do not always accord with our modern ideas of how affection is considered and expressed, and might seem a little odd. And, who am I to say what is acceptable, or what constitutes "straight" thinking? This could devolve into a twisted morass of gender/literary theory here. But I'm sorry, it struck me as a flaw in characterization. I didn't believe that these characters were who the author was telling me they were. They just didn't seem real. So, there are my caveats. Nonetheless, I think my criticism stands-- for whatever it's worth.
As with most badly written books, there is too much exposition. I've never been a big fan of the ubiquitous exhortation to "show don't tell," because I think it is simplistic and-- as often as not-- bad advice. But for god's sake, sometimes you have to drag that old canard out, and this time is one of them. Drop some hints, let it unfold... you don't have to explain everything for us up front. I realize this is a magical fantasy setting, but you don't have to tell me how the magic works right there in chapter one before we've even met the first sorcerer. Too much, too soon, too boring.
And the plot, oh, the plot. Nightfall is a feared assassin, thief, etc. etc. With many aliases. Many boring aliases that make the plot even more unbelievable once some of them are revealed. The peasant farmer for one. Apparently this globe-trotting rogue spends quite a bit of time... farming. How did he have time to do that? Believe me, when this little bit of backstory comes out in the book it's even lamer than I've made it sound. I don't think I could really convey the utter inanity of it. There's also an extended subplot about a shovel. I shit you not. And, of course, when things absolutely have to fall into place, they do. Convenient information is revealed at exactly the right time, every time. Characters just happen to show up when, and where, they need to for the next scene. Ugh. Awful. Avoid at all costs.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
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