A few years back, I had one week to write a paper on a novel. I quickly realized there was no way that in one week I could read an entire novel and write a 6-8 page paper, while working full time. I’m just not that fast a reader. So after speed reading the first 3 chapters I bought these Spark notes and knew enough to write a 6 page paper. Got a B+ too. I always said I’d go back and reread the book; giving it the full attention it deserves.

Confession

I didn’t really read it. I just skimmed it and looked at the pictures mainly. I got a lot if good ideas for my growing book colletion. I’ll say it was worth it.

I’ll also check it out again the nest time I feel like the books are taking over.

The first chapter dragged a bit but it quickly picked up after that. I liked it.

A little more than halfway through the book now and have changed my mind. I really like this book now and the author did eventually lay off with the over description.

Turns out there was a point to all that emphasis on how young she was in the first chapter. It was all about the age difference. About the tensions that grew between them as she matured.

Consuming this on audio book.

First impressions, so far an interesting story but to much physical description of the characters. I don’t like that. It makes it hard to connect with the characters and the story. When I read or hear a story, in my imagination, I’ve always inserted people I know as the characters. When the author gives to much description, I have to pause even longer to find someone in my memory banks that matches the authors desciption. The longer I have to pause the more I lose touch with the story.

Why not just say, A handsome man and his beautiful wife. Then let me create my own picture. The picture of that couple will be different for everyone. ...and why does the wife have to be barely out of her teens to be beautiful? Is this relevent to the story? I’ll listen more and see.