Dessert first | First things first

jd — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:17:55 +0000

Oh dear, hardly a good thing to say about _Middlesesx_: no character development; poorly paced; irrelevant/gratuitous background ’subplot’; totally unsatisfying/unconvincing ending. All in all, I came away from the book with nary a better understanding for anything it’s supposed to be about.

My roommate, who read it for a college class, didn’t like it, either; but another girfriend said she LOVED it (we’ve since learned that we have VASTLY different reading tastes), thought it was totally hilarous (do the other reviews you’ve read agree?).

Go figure. If you do end up reading it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Dessert first | First things first

Imperatrix — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:57:36 +0000

Yes, I know who you mean. When I read that, I shouted out loud “WHAT???!!!!????!!!”

That’s why we love that series, too. (But whenever we recommend it to someone, we warn them of his tendency to kill off characters he’s invested time and effort into developing.)

Dessert first | First things first

Marsha — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:17:15 +0000

Imperatrix: After the really big OH MY DOG surprise in book one (you know which one I'm talking about, right?), you can understand why "Does X die?" is the big question in my mind when reading those books. Martin (like Joss Whedon) is unafraid to kill off major characters. If he ever kills off Arya, though, I will never forgive him.

Linda: Well, I don't think I'll ever watch movies backward. Dessert first, though--now there's a good idea!

Arianna: "rooted to the spot trying to speed-read through something so I can find out what happens"--yes yes exactly! Me too!

JD: Is Middlesex that bad? I've heard so many rave reviews about it that I've contemplated adding it to my to-read list. What didn't you like about it?

Dessert first | First things first

jd — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:52:40 +0000

hi Marsha!

I’m a read-’em-straight-through no-peeking book reader. Especially when it comes to Harry Potters. Though I’m trusting myself more and more to be okay with leaving a book halfway when I’m not happy with it (lessons learned from sticking it through on Ishiguro’s _The Unconsoled_ and Eugenides’ _Middlesex_. Boo).

I like your new home and am looking forward to seeing it take shape and reflect your personality etc. (^o^)

Dessert first | First things first

arianna — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:35:37 +0000

I agree, I read strictly in order. However, that’s not to say I haven’t been rooted to the spot trying to speed-read through something so I can find out what happens!! :) But I always figure I’m missing out if I skip an entire chunk. Maybe there was a clue about how things turn out in there, and I just cheated myself out of the pleasure of it all!

Dessert first | First things first

Linda Woods — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:05:41 +0000

I eat dessert first, I flip to the end of books, and in the days of video tapes, I’d watch my taped shows from end to beginning with the rewind/ffwd button :)

Dessert first | First things first

Imperatrix — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:34:13 +0000

OMG! I was just going to say that the ONLY time I have ever peeked ahead was in the GRRM series (book 3 I think), when Arya is running toward the castle where her mother and brother are … and The Dog comes up behind her on his horse … and he has that axe in his hand … and he swings. WHACK! Chapter over.

We are complete Song of Ice and Fire addicts in this household. The Consort keeps checking the website for updates. I think GRRM is toying with us.