(no subject)

Amazon reviews are always interesting, the majority of reviewers never seem to agree with me. And I never read them before I purchase, but look at them to compare when I'm finished reading. Most of you know that my guilty literary pleasure is Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series. I had to read something undemanding in-between part one and two of Anna Karenina.

The Scarpetta Factor is unlike the other books in the series. It's focused on the characters rather than the mystery, which I prefer. Which is why I so rarely read crime, and why Cornwell But looking at the amazon reviews Cornwell's fans appear to hate it. It does deviate from her usual form, but I prefer this. Her characters aren't bad, and she is finally letting them take control.

The writing is better than usual, as well. It's even elegant at times. Cornwell introduces characters and plots seamlessly, the dialogue is good and from what I can tell it is fairly realistic. One of the things I enjoy about her is her ability to capture emotion (I am rather tempestuous myself, and don't believe anyone can be as flat as people are occasionally portrayed). While it is not always beautifully written, she does deal with emotions and they are important.

Now I can't decide whether to move on to DeLillo's Underworld, or go back to Tolstoy. Decisions, decisions, which a minute will revise.

(no subject)

Amazon reviews are always interesting, the majority of reviewers never seem to agree with me. And I never read them before I purchase, but look at them to compare when I'm finished reading. Most of you know that my guilty literary pleasure is Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series. I had to read something undemanding in-between part one and two of Anna Karenina.

The Scarpetta Factor is unlike the other books in the series. It's focused on the characters rather than the mystery, which I prefer. Which is why I so rarely read crime, and why Cornwell But looking at the amazon reviews Cornwell's fans appear to hate it. It does deviate from her usual form, but I prefer this. Her characters aren't bad, and she is finally letting them take control.

The writing is better than usual, as well. It's even elegant at times. Cornwell introduces characters and plots seamlessly, the dialogue is good and from what I can tell it is fairly realistic. One of the things I enjoy about her is her ability to capture emotion (I am rather tempestuous myself, and don't believe anyone can be as flat as people are occasionally portrayed). While it is not always beautifully written, she does deal with emotions and they are important.

Now I can't decide whether to move on to DeLillo's Underworld, or go back to Tolstoy. Decisions, decisions, which a minute will revise.