In reading Martin's book something occured to me: I felt like I was reading the work of someone who was writing a novel rather than writing a story.
The prose-- which it surprises me so many people enjoyed-- seems to have a huge level of flatness to it. Martin's similes are rather mundane and though a few managed to work exceptionally well, on the whole very few stuck a...
more In reading Martin's book something occured to me: I felt like I was reading the work of someone who was writing a novel rather than writing a story.
The prose-- which it surprises me so many people enjoyed-- seems to have a huge level of flatness to it. Martin's similes are rather mundane and though a few managed to work exceptionally well, on the whole very few stuck a cord. Most lack the punch typically associated with the devise-- be it for humor or imagery. They feel coloquial, more like Martin is trying to suggest what he means than to use them to add to the narrative. A crutch, perhaps.
Worse, is Martin's expository exploration of his characters. Having taken some acting classes I know something of it, and I know that in the process you have to break down the characters that have been written so you yourself understand them like any writer worth his salt might. Martin obviously understands his characters-- he'd have to in order to write those page-long ramblings on what they DON'T KNOW-- but he lacks all degrees of subtly in his omnicient narration. It feels more like actors notes more than it does anything else. Martin presents the reader with a complete tray of ingredients instead of cookies. He fails to do the "bakers" job.
And of course, there is the plot itself. After about thirty or forty pages in, does anyone really have a doubt as to how it's going to play out? Sure there's a surprise or two along the way (Tina) but they don't bump the inevitable outcome- do they? You could say it was just a fun ride, but really, it wasn't.
Martin's book is readable, certainly, but it's lazy writing and hardly a prime example of a good book. I appreciate the efforts-- a definitive theme, and strong character building-- but if I wasn't on a 24 hour train ride I doubt I would have finished it.
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