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steveatwaywords's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Parker seems to have a style and aptitude for these quick reading novellas, each with a single central conceit. I imagine, as this one shows, some are more successful than others. But this is due in part to the simplicity of form and motivation. If the work does not aspire to more, then one can hardly fault it for not being Proust.
Like other titles of Parker's, the delights are two: 1) trying to anticipate how the inevitable twist will develop (and in some cases he pulls off several along the way as in the Saloninus books); 2) discovering Parker's tinier sociological anecdotes along the way (one in this book around the politics or porn obsessions). In the case of this work, the anecdotes are fewer, and the central twist is both unfortunately predictable and not altogether original, however necessary a caution it is for more innocent readers.
So enjoy it for its fun harmlessness, its occasional smirks, and perhaps the compassion a reader might develop for one of its characters (but which one?).
Like other titles of Parker's, the delights are two: 1) trying to anticipate how the inevitable twist will develop (and in some cases he pulls off several along the way as in the Saloninus books); 2) discovering Parker's tinier sociological anecdotes along the way (one in this book around the politics or porn obsessions). In the case of this work, the anecdotes are fewer, and the central twist is both unfortunately predictable and not altogether original, however necessary a caution it is for more innocent readers.
So enjoy it for its fun harmlessness, its occasional smirks, and perhaps the compassion a reader might develop for one of its characters (but which one?).
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Violence, and Death
None of the content issues are direct scenes but mentioned within an exchange of letters.
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