caterinaanna's review
3.0
Being a bookcrosser who has had dealings with Debbie, and several of those who get a name check in this book, I really wanted to like it. However I found it both frenetic and slow at the same time: the characters were whizzing around all over the place, trying to escape themselves, but some of their introspection was repeated and the first couple of perspective shifts were confusing, particularly as those people took time to become part of the main narrative. I did quite enjoy the race against time at the end, but was never quite convinced by the principal characters. It might be because of the lack of differentiation in their voices which other reviewers have mentioned, but I'm not analytical enough to say if that is so.
Another criticism others have made is the lack of a sense of place. I don't entirely agree with that one - I thought the cities were rather featureless, but I could visualise Mevagissey and the location of Mary's B&B from the descriptions. As to whether or not people fall in love or go chasing round after people they know first through their bookshelves, sorry oh cynical ones, it may not happen as frequently as this tale suggests (rather like catches, really) but were I a gossip I could give you a list and be sure it would be far from comprehensive!
In the week or so between finishing the book and writing this review I have sought out and read one of the novels featured and have dusted down my copy of [a:ee cummings|10547|E.E. Cummings|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1189090556p2/10547.jpg]' [b: Complete Poems|26596|Complete Poems, 1904-1962|E.E. Cummings|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266453882s/26596.jpg|175882] so it was inspirational at least.
Another criticism others have made is the lack of a sense of place. I don't entirely agree with that one - I thought the cities were rather featureless, but I could visualise Mevagissey and the location of Mary's B&B from the descriptions. As to whether or not people fall in love or go chasing round after people they know first through their bookshelves, sorry oh cynical ones, it may not happen as frequently as this tale suggests (rather like catches, really) but were I a gossip I could give you a list and be sure it would be far from comprehensive!
In the week or so between finishing the book and writing this review I have sought out and read one of the novels featured and have dusted down my copy of [a:ee cummings|10547|E.E. Cummings|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1189090556p2/10547.jpg]' [b: Complete Poems|26596|Complete Poems, 1904-1962|E.E. Cummings|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266453882s/26596.jpg|175882] so it was inspirational at least.
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