If there was ever a case for reading literature in translation, John Grisham’s latest book, The Widow, would make an excellent one. My goodness, reading this book is arduous.
The writing consists of horribly stilted sentences. There is no instance where he shows us the character rather than telling us who he is outright. There seems to be a mishmash of each of his previous legal thrillers included into his latest.
So, why am I reading it? I am curious to find out if the eponymous widow does in fact have the millions she has claimed to have inherited upon her husband’s death. And, I vaguely want to find out who killed her by putting thallium in the ginger cookies her lawyer brought to her hospital room, because we know it wasn’t him.
But, truly, there is a reason I haven’t read a John Grisham book in a while, which is the same reason I won’t be picking up another of his books any time soon: like a loaf of Wonder Bread, they could all be squeezed into one slice.
(I am perusing my shelves and my stacks of translated literature, for as Winter approaches, I find myself longing for Japanese fiction. Still. Is there any interest in a Japanese Literature Challenge 19 to begin this January?)
Always in for something Japanese!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Classic, modern, all of it can be counted on for a thought provoking read.
DeleteLike you I would far prefer a translated Japanese lit book over a Grisham any day. I’m in!
ReplyDeleteOur bookshelves reveal the interesting evolution of our reading journey don’t they?
Brona, your comment (and Tom’s above) assuage me completely; here, I am amongst friends and like-minded readers. No where else in my world, but within our blogs, do I find the kind of literature I wish to read. I have compiled a short list, a mere 80, of Japanese titles in my sidebar. I am in process of adding links to each title so we can learn more about them. So looking forward to more reading with you!
DeleteM, I'm in for JLC19. How are you? Missed you! I haven't read a Grisham in so long - I remember The Firm and A Time To Kill. Not sure I'd pick one up now though. Of course, my reading hasn't been that great lately, so who knows. Anyhow, so good to see you on here. Wishing you and yours a lovely Thanksgiving. xx
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad to see that you are in for the JLC19!
DeleteGrisham’s Time to Kill, and The Firm, were well written and fairly original. I’m not sure his books have been that good since, and I, for one, am a disillusioned reader.
You say you haven’t been a great reader lately; I certainly have been a very absent blogger…sometimes we don’t have the energy for these things. It’s so easy to feel depleted, especially during the holidays. It’s good to know that our friendship continues through the ups and downs.
Ugh. I haven't read Grisham in a very long time. His early books were pretty good, but the last book I tried (title escapes me) was so poorly written. Reading level for a 5th grader?? I started The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell and am in awe of her writing. After a dozen pages, I can tell it will be a favorite.
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