THE DOUBLE BINDChris Bohjalian
Personal Rating: 2.5/5
Yearly Count: 19
All along I thought this book was "just okay", but I continued to read thinking the ending was going to be the highlight...big mistake. I feel betrayed and abused, in other words...taken for a ride.
Being that this was my introduction to Bohjalian, I have to say that I am not impressed at all. I am actually extremely disappointed and at this point in time, do not want to read anything else by him. He has a good track record, so hopefully I will change my mind someday; I certainly don't want to miss out on something good. :) But for now...I have nothing good to share: the characters were somewhat shallow, the storyline - well there was some potential there, but I am not a fan of THE GREAT GATSBY so that flew out the window, and I experienced confusion in more than one spot.
Take it for what it's worth, but I will not be recommending this book.
Sorry you felt disappointed, like I did. Don't give up on Bohjalian's other books...I've read a couple of his earlier novels and really liked them a lot (which is why I thought I'd like this one). This novel is a bit of a different type/style for him...and I think he was in over his head. If you decide to try him again, I'd recommend either The Buffalo Soldier OR Midwives (although some people did not like Midwives, I thought it was worth the read).
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you were disappointed by this one, Joy. I've yet to read it, although I eventually hope to get to it. I read Before You Know Kindness by the author and enjoyed it, although admit none of the characters won me over. I have Midwives around here somewhere, but I've yet to read it.
ReplyDeleteBarnes & Noble is pushing this one really hard and I've been tempted several times to buy a copy, so thanks for the appraisal. It's good to know that I'm probably not missing much...not enough time to read all the good stuff, can't waste it on marginal books.
ReplyDeleteOh no! One of my favorite authors now has 2 bad reviews for this book :0( BUT, if this is your first Bohjalian, please go and read "Midwives", "Trans-Sister Radio", or "The Buffalo Soldiers" before you write him off for good. Thanks for the review...I have this one up next to read!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others, Joy. When you get time, try "Midwives" or "The Law of Similars", those are really, very good books. Bohjalian just missed the boat on this one, it sounds like. It happens.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed "Midwives" but have yet to read any other titles by this author.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second or third bad review I have read of this. I think I will wait a bit on this one.
I loved Midwives, but one of the other books have attracted me, due to their subject matter. Just not appealing for some reason. I always thought Chris was a woman, but obviously I'm mistaken!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you didn't like this book - I have only read one of his, years ago, and it was Midwives - I was absolutely blown away with it - was a A+ read.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of his others - but I do have Trans-Sister Radio on my TBR list
Wendy ~ I won't be reading one of his any time soon, but I won't give up on him. :) Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteLiterary Feline ~ Maybe there's a winner in one of his books.
Sam ~ My perception by visiting your blog would be that you wouldn't enjoy it.
Kim ~ I can't wait to see what you have to say.
Kookie ~ I guess it does. I will try another one some day.
Amy ~ I really didn't see any reviews before reading it. I decided that I was finally going to read a Bohjalian book and was really excited. Oh well.
Lazy Cow ~ You mentioned liking the subject matter of one of his...that was a big problem for me with this one. There is a lot of reference to The Great Gatsby and I was not a fan of that book, so it was annoying - not an attraction. :(
Sally ~ WOW...an A+ for Midwives. This really seems to be the forerunner. No promises right now, but I'll be thinking about this one.
Like you, I've never read a thing by this author. Thank goodness I decided to purchase Before You Know Kindness instead of The Double Bind. I would hate to have been so disappointed. This is acutally the 3rd review I've come across where the book did not fare well. I do hope the one I purchased turns out to be good as I've heard so many good things about this author.
ReplyDeleteSorry to learn that you had such a disappointing read!
I've only read his nonfiction - can't remember the name of the book, but it's a collection of his columns and I enjoyed them. I've got Buffalo Soldiers (?) and Midwives, which I still haven't gotten to. Several friends have raved about this book, but it seems to be one that people love or hate.
ReplyDeleteAmelia ~ Going with his "newest" wasn't a good idea for me. One day I'll try another of his.
ReplyDeleteBookfool ~ I've only heard good things about the two books you mentioned. I will probably try one of those, although, not for a long time. I have too many other "new-to-me" authors to try before I give him another chance. :)
Greetings!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you felt taken for a ride.
But I'm glad you gave the novel a shot.
Tell me, what did you think of the photos?
Chris ~ Thank you for visiting! I have responded to you via e-mail.
ReplyDelete