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I am really active on Goodreads, probably visiting at least once a day to see what my friends are reading and to get ideas for my reading list. Based on those recommendations, I ordered “All Fall Down”, by Jennifer Weiner, from the library. As I saw my number rise on the waitlist, my anticipation grew. I disciplined myself not to peak too much at the synopsis so I could be truly delighted and surprised. Then, the day arrived. A feeling of Christmas enveloped me! Time to open the present of a great book. And then I realized I had picked up a “Chick Lit” novel. Ugh! I found this novel to be whiney,superficial, and full of notes that just didn't ring true. The story centers around a stay-at-home mother who becomes addicted to prescription drugs. Instead of delving into why a person who has it all would go down a path of self-destruction, the narrator takes the most simplistic approach, whining about how stressful her life is. I didn't find any of the other characters to be well developed and many of their actions seemed unrealistic (Would a husband who thinks he wife is drugged up really let her drive their child around all day?).And this is my problem with the "Chick-Lit" genre. The author seems to short change the audience by simplifying situations and motives to the point that it becomes condescending. You don't need to keep saying, "I am stressed"! Show me!!! Use some subtlety, metaphors, something that has depth! When I read a book about a serious subject such as addiction, I want my assumptions to be challenged, my empathy to ignite. I want to cry over, or be angry with the characters. Annoyance is not the predominant emotion I want to feel!Perhaps, next time, I should read a few more reviews before I get my hopes up about an unfamiliar novel. Life is just too short to waste precious time on mediocre books.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
All Fall Down falls flat
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