Winter

Winter

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

How About A Book Report

I won't say anything about the plot to spoil a single word of this book. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith so far is a symphony of words. As I opened it to the first page I found myself being a bit disappointed. I wished that I didn't know that this was written by J.K. Rowling. I have expectations that get in the way and I think that colors my perception.

Truthfully, I had to keep my brain on the book held in my hands and not let my mind stray to the young boy who lived in the cupboard under the stairs. As a bit of disclaimer. I am a reader of books that likes detective  novels by Agatha Christie,Wilkie Collins, about as modern as I get is P.D. James but even she sometimes catches me off guard. My favorite genre of books are called Cozy Mysteries. You never see things done it all and most of  the stuff takes place out of your sight. The Cuckoo's Calling is not cozy.

One of the things that J.K. Rowling does so well is she is a invisible writer. Last night when Ron got home from work I was so deep in it took me time to adjust my thinking to where I was and that I was not someplace else watching a movie. As a modern writer, I would go so far as to say, there isn't a writer today that can hold a candle to her in the beauty she portrays by her words. As the great masters like Rembrandt or Titan. She takes words and each word is artfully placed so lovingly and I found that in my brain was like a firework going off at different intervals. She leads the reader down a path that if filled with sights and sounds and pain and joy and to feel each one was shattering in some ways and lovely in others. I even found myself being embarrassed at times.

It is not a comfortable read for me. I know that once I fully commit to this book, there will be no stopping. I will devour it. Nothing will get done and I will be living on another plane in a different world. While I prefer books written by Elisabeth Goudge and Charles Dickens. While this isn't one of them it is well written, fully engaging and does not fail to entertain. There is language in it which bothered me a bit. I have found that the best writers know how to think without using slang. I find it to be a cheap way to tell a story. That is just me though. Stephen King gets away with it and as far as story tellers go none is better than him. For the record, the only Stephen King I read now is his book on Writing. Once I became a Christian I couldn't read stuff like that anymore. It hurt my soul too much.

For the record, if I was J.K. Rowling I would sue the pants off of that firm that spilled the beans. I would have loved to have not known and would have loved to have seen a whole series by Robert Galbraith.
I hope she doesn't stop with this one novel but continues to write for the joy of telling a good story.

That is my two cents worth. Books like movies are touchy subjects to write about. I just wanted to share a bit about what I think will end up being a good experience all in all.

Happy Wednesday,
~Kim~

6 comments:

Kessie said...

Just reading the preview on Amazon, I experienced the symphony of words. I can't wait to read the whole book. Her humor is woven throughout.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Thank you for the review. I had no idea about J.K. Rowling writing under another name. Her HP books got too dark for me after the fourth one so I never finished them but I was certainly swept away into HPs world while reading the first four. She does have a way with words. One genre I've never been able to get into is mysteries. My mom, a voracious reader, loved them. I've tried but just can't seem to go there. I do enjoy Masterpiece mysteries on TV however. Wonder what the difference is? Anyway, this book sounds like a very engrossing tale if one likes the genre.

Nellie said...

I loved reading your "take" on this book. I will probably read it, but will not rush out right away.:-)

xo Nellie

Miss Debbie said...

Glad you are enjoying it!

Dog Trot Farm said...

Hi Kim~ thanks for the imput, I value your opinion. I tend to read non-fiction (I admit I do need to change things up a bit) I have been in the world of Gladys Taber this summer. There is something about her writing and Stillmeadow books that quiets the heart. I hope you are enjoying this most beautiful summer's day. Hugs, Julie.

GretchenJoanna said...

I doubt Rowling minds at this point that her cover was blown. She had the satisfaction of getting good reviews based on the work itself, before people knew she was the author, and after people found out, sales skyrocketed. So she got two pleasures. However, if she wants to get the first one again, she'll have to find a new pen name *and* genre!

I don't care for mysteries, but your great review might make me reconsider on this one!