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Title: Taft : A Novel by Ann Patchett ISBN: 0-06-054076-1 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.17 (6 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Very Disappointing
Comment: I just loved Ann Patchett's wonderful writing and story in her recent novel BEL CANTO, so decided to read her other three books, starting with the first one, so that I could see the progression. Although it wasn't on the same level as Bel Canto (my favorite), I really liked Patchett's first novel, THE PATRON SAINT OF LIARS. Wonderful characters and voice & things to think about.
But her second book, TAFT, was a real disappointment. The characters are flat and I couldn't connect with any of them, was particularly disgusted with the young Fay, and just couldn't understand the much older John Nickel's fascination with her, his compulsion to take her wherever she asks, do almost anything she wants, to the extent of always protecting her brother Carl. She just isn't likeable, is embarrassingly naive, a weak character (not that I liked Carl any better). Yes, we are told it's because she's needy and John wants to be protective. But 'telling' doesn't make it believable.
I felt there was a hazy screen in front of me the whole time I was reading Taft--which by the way is yes, a real 'lightweight,' nothing much to think about in it--that there wasn't much story there, let alone feeling for any of the characters. For me, when a book is really well-written, I can't get enough of every detail, like to savor them, and that was certainly missing for me here (plus there is little detail in this novel anyway--it's pretty sparse). I did think that Patchett had an original idea in trying to incorporate John Nickel's imagined 'story' of Taft (Fay and Carl's deceased father), and it almost worked, but something seemed missing to weave these parts into the novel seamlessly--they felt choppy and often out of place.
The book meanders until near the end (which I wouldn't mind if I had been immersed in its characters or story), and then it picks up--and then bam, ends pretty quickly. I did like the last couple of reminiscences of Taft woven in at the end and the fact that Patchett didn't end with his death, but went back to an earlier time--it did bring together some of the theme strands about protecting those we love. But it left me with little feeling or little to think about also. Nor did the book bring much closure with it, though I just didn't care, at that point.
So, for me, this book just didn't jell, and I wouldn't recommend it. I haven't read Patchett's third book yet (MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT), but would certainly recommend her first and fourth over this novel. I'm hesitating between two stars--because I didn't find much to like in this novel--and three stars, because Patchett has such potential, is an intelligent, literary writer; so maybe I'll say two and a half.
Rating: 3
Summary: A Lightweight
Comment: This is an entertaining, albeit lightweight book. It's like an R-rated after school special where black bar manager John Nickel gets involved in the lives of two white teenagers from rural Tennessee. The older of the two kids, Fay, develops a crush on John while working at the bar and the younger, Carl, uses the bar to deal drugs. Ultimately there is a clash between John and Carl that winds up in a botched robbery attempt.
The good thing about this book is that it's told in the first-person and narrator John is interesting enough to listen to. I can't attest to the validity of his "voice", though I'm never a big fan of using a lot of dialects because it can make things harder for people to read.
There are a couple things about this book that I didn't like. First, the book starts to cut between John's story and bits and pieces of Fay and Carl's father, Levon Taft. This happens almost randomly and at one point the "Taft" section is a single sentence. It took me by surprise when this first happened, as I didn't see a whole lot of reason for it. It does add a little understanding about Fay and Carl and ultimately John learns from Taft's demise.
The book ends too quickly, without any issues really being wrapped up. I suppose the book is pretty good because I did want to see how things played out for John and the Tafts. It's almost never good in my mind to leave readers wondering what happened. It leaves us without a sense of closure.
"Taft" is a short read, but a good one. If you're looking for some light reading, I say go ahead and check it out.
Rating: 1
Summary: unbelievable voice
Comment: this novel is written in the voice of a black male blues musician. who speaks completely differently than any black male blues muscians I've ever met. its like reading a bad translation of a french novel or something. First of all, musicians don't refer to blues as 'blues music', or to what a guitarist plays as 'guitar music'. Similarly, black men in 1995 are not so afraid of being seen with a white woman that they sweat and panic. Perhpas if this book had been set in the 50's, she might have had something more than a trite and quaint race novel. then again, she might not have.
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Title: Patron Saint of Liars : A Novel by Ann Patchett ISBN: 0060540753 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett ISBN: 0156006219 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 17 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Bel Canto: A Novel by Ann Patchett ISBN: 0060934417 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 16 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Three Junes by JULIA GLASS ISBN: 0385721420 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 22 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Unless : A Novel by Carol Shields ISBN: 0007154615 Publisher: Fourth Estate Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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