Booker and Trash

[alobear]

The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson won the Booker Prize in 2006.  This is not something I really understand.  I mean, it's well-written and very nicely structured, with two timelines cleverly woven together to gradually create the whole picture of the story.  But I also found it dreary and depressing, with several unpleasant incidents and few characters sympathetic enough to garner sincere interest.

Glory in Death by J D Robb, on the other hand, is badly written, unforgiveably cliched, sickeningly trashy, and in no way good literature.  I still really enjoyed it, though.

Perhaps it's time to give up on the pretence that I'm a fan of high-minded literature!  :o)

Comments

[lareinemisere.livejournal.com]

> few characters sympathetic enough to garner sincere interest.

From what I've read, it's often considered a sign of 'proper' literature that they don't pander to the general reader's preference for a character with whom they can identify or sympathise.

>give up on the pretence that I'm a fan of high-minded literature

I've bought one fantasy (part two of trilogy), one detective thriller, one factual psycho-social book, one modern literary novel and one literary classic in the last week or so...and I know which two are going to stay longest on the pile. :)

J D Robb

[(Anonymous)]

The characters are engaging and the banter between them sometimes very funny. The characters During the series the main characters are developed and fresh regulars are added Perhaps that's why book no. 27 has just come out and there's no sign of them stopping. Since I'm the "relatively lowbrow" literature addict who recommended the series to you, I'm glad you are enjoying the books.