The Cuckoo's Calling
Aug. 8th, 2014 07:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearI admit the only reason I decided to listen to The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith is because I found out the author is really J K Rowling. To begin with, it came across as quite simplistic in style, the only thing differentiating it from her children's books being the adult characters and the copious amounts of swearing.
But, gradually, the story and the characters drew me in, and I found myself thoroughly engaged by the world of Cormoran Strike, the one-legged ex-soldier detective, and his highly efficient but slightly needy temp, Robin.
I still found the swearing a bit much - while I agree that the characters who did it probably would in real life, the way people talk in books doesn't have to be like real life, and it still comes across as rather an obvious technique to make the book seem more adult.
However, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book (helped by an excellent narrator), I didn't guess who the murderer was, I grew to really like Strike and Robin, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing how their interactions develop over the course of more books. I could quite happily visit this world on an ongoing basis, and it's certainly got the scope to turn into a lengthy series.
But, gradually, the story and the characters drew me in, and I found myself thoroughly engaged by the world of Cormoran Strike, the one-legged ex-soldier detective, and his highly efficient but slightly needy temp, Robin.
I still found the swearing a bit much - while I agree that the characters who did it probably would in real life, the way people talk in books doesn't have to be like real life, and it still comes across as rather an obvious technique to make the book seem more adult.
However, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book (helped by an excellent narrator), I didn't guess who the murderer was, I grew to really like Strike and Robin, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing how their interactions develop over the course of more books. I could quite happily visit this world on an ongoing basis, and it's certainly got the scope to turn into a lengthy series.
