Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Little Friend by Donna Tartt ISBN: 1-4000-3169-9 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 28 October, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.55 (446 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Evocative but meandering...
Comment: I suppose, like many other readers, I had hoped that all of Tartt's novels would be as absorbing as her terrific debut. The Little Friend (significance of the title?) is rather disappointing, especially when you consider what this writer is capable of. I rather got the impression that she wasn't trying.
The basic premise of TLF is good, but it is not adequately explored to make this a worthwhile read, regardless of how elegant the prose is. She hardly waits 30 pages before abandoning the plot altogether in favour of a sub-standard drug fiasco and murder. Ultimately, I was left wondering why she had introduced the plot of her brother's murder when she had no intention of following it up. Basically, do not believe what it says on the dust jacket - the book does not explore the hanging of the main character's brother.
Such an odd disregard for plotting would have been more bearable had Ms Tartt stuck to her elegant prose style instead of the childish nattering and grating metaphors she employed for TLF. Occasionally there are moments of great writing; the speed-fuelled paranoia of the Radcliff brothers is terrific, as are the few descriptions of Alexandria. Unfortunately the bulk of the prose is limp, condescending and sometimes just plain bad.
I know Ms Tartt can do better than this. It might take fifty years and four more misplaced novels, but she'll get back on form. For now, though, The Little Friend is just average fiction. A shame.
Rating: 4
Summary: A Page Turner
Comment: I could not put this book down. It's like an engaging beach read, with literary benefits. It's also like a detective story, except that there are no clues. In spite of how it starts with a graphic, heart-wrenching slaying, and how the main character's primary action seems to be solving the crime, it is not a murder mystery.
Rating: 4
Summary: 4 Stars throughout....until the end!
Comment: If there's going to be a sequel that continues with these characters, (the writing was Outstanding), THAT HAS AN ENDING!!!! O.k. I'll buy the book...otherwise...I still can't get over the non-ending.
 |
Title: The Secret History by Donna Tartt ISBN: 0804111359 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 1993 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides ISBN: 0312422156 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber ISBN: 0156028778 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: Child of My Heart by Alice McDermott ISBN: 0312422911 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: The Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble ISBN: 0156028751 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 13 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
