I really wanted to like A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I love well-written fantasy novels, and it has gotten stellar reviews and much positive press.
I loved the first part, all about the Bodleian Library, and Duke Humfrey's, and lovely things about Oxford. But as it went on, the book seemed to be trying to be too many things (including Twilight and the Da Vinci Code), and once it moved to France I found the plot really dragged. Also, I found the chapters alternating between first person and third annoying. The author often has a nice writing style, but the book rambles on and to my horror, despite the front saying "a novel" it is a 579-page part 1 of a series. I'm not sure I can bring myself to read the next, whenever it comes out.
P.J. O'Rourke advises "Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."
Let Galesburg Public Library staff and friends guide you in finding those books.
I hated it! Here's my little rant about the book that I really wanted to like, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.minnesotareads.com/2011/03/a-discovery-of-witches/
Great review, and I agree with everything you said! (Matthew out-Edwards Edward from Twilight!)
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