I read the first. It is probably the repetitively quotidian nature of the book you described that has prevented me from picking up the second book. Surprisingly, I have considered doing just that on more than one occasion.
I have also read 4/7 and plan to finish the last 3 when available. I have to know what happens and how this whole story is resolved but, fundamentally, I think these are bad books. I don’t look down on a pot boiler and I enjoy plenty of literary fiction, but this is the worst of all worlds. I was especially furious with volume 2, in which nothing happens, but which ends with a cliffhanger that comes completely out of the blue. Just the hackiest possible shit, like something Netflix would pull to get you to keep binging whatever dreck they’ve recently put out.
But like I said, I need to know how it all wraps up. And the books are short so they help me inflate my annual book counts as well. I am irredeemable.
I was captivated by volumes 1 and 2, the idea is surprisingly fresh-feeling despite the tired concept. There is a subtleness to it that drew me in. But by volume 4 it was starting to outstay its welcome. I'm not sure I'll pick up volume 5. I fear the conclusion may not land for me, by that time, if there even is one.
Vol 4 is the weakest, I think: seems perverse to spend so long establishing a particular repeating and stilly fugue and then abruptly to throw in all these extra characters and action.
I stopped after the third one myself. Your post reminded me to pick it up again, though I will adjust my expectations based on what you're saying. It will be a while before the whole story comes to a conclusion. But this book is definitely more about the journey than the destination, isn't it?
Petit boringeoise
I loved the Balle but then I'm a huge fan of Fosse's writing, and attitude to writing.
That's a good imaginary book review. ;)
Reading Balle's book did make me sketch out, in my head, how I might approach this as a SF story premise.
I read the first. It is probably the repetitively quotidian nature of the book you described that has prevented me from picking up the second book. Surprisingly, I have considered doing just that on more than one occasion.
I have also read 4/7 and plan to finish the last 3 when available. I have to know what happens and how this whole story is resolved but, fundamentally, I think these are bad books. I don’t look down on a pot boiler and I enjoy plenty of literary fiction, but this is the worst of all worlds. I was especially furious with volume 2, in which nothing happens, but which ends with a cliffhanger that comes completely out of the blue. Just the hackiest possible shit, like something Netflix would pull to get you to keep binging whatever dreck they’ve recently put out.
But like I said, I need to know how it all wraps up. And the books are short so they help me inflate my annual book counts as well. I am irredeemable.
I was captivated by volumes 1 and 2, the idea is surprisingly fresh-feeling despite the tired concept. There is a subtleness to it that drew me in. But by volume 4 it was starting to outstay its welcome. I'm not sure I'll pick up volume 5. I fear the conclusion may not land for me, by that time, if there even is one.
Vol 4 is the weakest, I think: seems perverse to spend so long establishing a particular repeating and stilly fugue and then abruptly to throw in all these extra characters and action.
I stopped after the third one myself. Your post reminded me to pick it up again, though I will adjust my expectations based on what you're saying. It will be a while before the whole story comes to a conclusion. But this book is definitely more about the journey than the destination, isn't it?