The other night I pick up this book while dog sitting at my friend’s house:
Me Times Three, by Alex Witchel
I finished it up last night, and I would like to state that it was nothing like what I expected. It was not about cheating fiances! I mean, it was a little, but it was mostly about AIDS in the 80s! I feel so cheated!
OK, not mostly about AIDS. It was about denial. The protagonist didn’t wake up and realize the perfect life she was “heading for” was actually not to be. Her gay best friend didn’t wake up and realize he needed to change his life and get tested until he had progressed to full-blown AIDS. Back to the protagonist, she didn’t wake up and realize that her friend was living a life of denial. Circular denial, ugh.
And on top of that, it simply wasn’t that well-written.
I’ve gotten a couple comments about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell from other people who have tried to read it but haven’t gotten through. I am HAPPILY going back to that one, oh yes I am.
When I first started it, I read a review that said if you could get past the first 250 pages it was a great book. At that point I had already breezed happily through the first 100, so I figured I was set. Then Monday night I thought I’d take a fluffy break, and ended up just reading something that was poorly written. At least I’m a quick reader. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a little bit tedious and definitely different, but it’s also definitely well-written, which is hugely important to me.
In related news, I am going here this weekend. It’s pretty much the most fabulous place on earth. And I am so excited I might pop.
UPDATE: I am also going here. I’m pretty excited about going home for the weekend!
Maybe I’ll take up Norrell again once I’m done with this Atwood. Or maybe I’ll re-read the last Harry Potter. I am loving Oryx and Crake, but I really am at a loss of where to turn next. Do I just gorge myself on political journalism until I cry or do I turn to a completely unrelated and fictional universe and hide my head further in the sand? Or maybe I just should pick up some fashion magazines.