Edward Albee wrote these lines from one of his plays that in many ways describes the circuitous route this novel takes: “Sometimes you have have to go a long distance out of your way to go a short distance correctly.” If this accurately describes the path of finding stolen art, how does this style keep your interest? However gorgeously this book is written, is it enough incentive to play twister on a child’s playground, to hold your interest? And what real purpose is there in reading intricate biographies of each of the characters, if the last few pages wraps up the novel, presto! all done.
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I’m only part way through but I find the characters interesting and it’s keeping me wondering how this is all going to come together.
Great questions, @Kassapa!
“And what real purpose is there in reading intricate biographies of each of the characters, if the last few pages wraps up the novel, presto! all done.”
One could ask this of any character-driven novel, I suspect. I just finished Buckeye and while I loved the book, I struggled with the review because it was really the story of four lives and the consequences of decisions. I struggled with defining why one should care about these characters.
I think Atkinson is trying to create something beyond a mystery novel with Rook. By making it more character-driven, it’s as much literary fiction as mystery, similar to Louise Penny’s Gamache books. Some readers are drawn to the style, some not.
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I agree with you completely. I love Kate’s writing, and her characters are not cardboard cutouts simply to further the plot. I very much enjoyed reading it but it also felt to me, at least in the beginning that she was spending an enormous amount of time on Ian and Hazel that I found to be more filler than substance. The escaped convict also felt a bit contrived as an added element to help wrap up the ending. Though I enjoyed the process of the book, I don’t think many of my friends would have the patience to get through it.
I read a lot of books that end too quickly or meander about in an engaging way but then fizzle near the end (I am thinking of Heartwood by Amity Gaige.)
Patience will win out in the end, Lois, that is if you really enjoy her writing.
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