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Laura 's Reviews > The Red Car
The Red Car
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I was looking for Hurricane Girl on Internet Archive; they had her earlier two novels, and this one from 2017. A Bit Lame - is how I see this.
Our narrator begins her story aged 20?, she's at uni. She skips 10 years and then another 6 years - background- to give us an idea of her and her life. As she's narrating the current story I think she must be about 35/36; and I feel a little puzzled. Is this woman 36 or 16? I thought maybe she's a little on the autism spectrum? And then I thought if she isn't autistic, why does she feel Life should be laid out, in an obvious path, like Dorothy I suppose, skipping down that yellow road?
I liked the narrator up to the two-third point. I suspect because it feels fairly genuine, based on the author's real experiences? That comes across, and then there is a sequence of moronic conversations between "sweetie," I forget her name, her friend Margaret, who is at Stanford and M's boyfriend - who is the coloured offering in her white middle-class privileged world and at this point, I just felt annoyed. Get your book published, leave your moronic husband, make a decision, stop moaning, get a life girl . . . those are my instructions!
No, really - I'm not sure why this has been published - harsh?
Our narrator begins her story aged 20?, she's at uni. She skips 10 years and then another 6 years - background- to give us an idea of her and her life. As she's narrating the current story I think she must be about 35/36; and I feel a little puzzled. Is this woman 36 or 16? I thought maybe she's a little on the autism spectrum? And then I thought if she isn't autistic, why does she feel Life should be laid out, in an obvious path, like Dorothy I suppose, skipping down that yellow road?
I liked the narrator up to the two-third point. I suspect because it feels fairly genuine, based on the author's real experiences? That comes across, and then there is a sequence of moronic conversations between "sweetie," I forget her name, her friend Margaret, who is at Stanford and M's boyfriend - who is the coloured offering in her white middle-class privileged world and at this point, I just felt annoyed. Get your book published, leave your moronic husband, make a decision, stop moaning, get a life girl . . . those are my instructions!
No, really - I'm not sure why this has been published - harsh?
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Reading Progress
October 16, 2023
–
Started Reading
October 16, 2023
– Shelved
October 19, 2023
– Shelved as:
women-n-america
October 19, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Candi
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Oct 20, 2023 01:28PM
I haven't read this one yet, but I have loved two of Dermansky's books, including Hurricane Girl! Now I'm really curious to see how I'll react to this one. I'm sorry it was a weaker read for you, Laura, but I always value your sharp analysis of books!
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Candi wrote: "I haven't read this one yet, but I have loved two of Dermansky's books, including Hurricane Girl! Now I'm really curious to see how I'll react to this one. I'm sorry it was a weaker read for you, L..."Hi Candi, I was looking through the reviews of this - and a lot of the 5 star reviews were from Authors - they liked the style, someone commented that she is very much a writer's writer - all those reviews were from 2016 - i.e. very much promoting the book.
Most reviews fell in the 3 star mark (32%) - so I think the majority have it.
I liked our narrator up to a certain point as said, and then I just lost all sympathy. She is way too indecisive, wishy-washy for a 36 yr old, and self-indulgent - really, is how she comes across.
I think all those authors need to realise that books need depth and purpose as well as a smooth style.
Oh, that's interesting about the 5 star reviews, Laura. There's something about Dermansky's writing that makes me nod and laugh, but if even that is missing here then it may not appeal to me as much as the others. I'll read it eventually and report back!
Candi wrote: "Oh, that's interesting about the 5 star reviews, Laura. There's something about Dermansky's writing that makes me nod and laugh, but if even that is missing here then it may not appeal to me as muc..."Hi Candi - I always look forward to your reviews, especially if it's something I've read or I'm interested to read.
Yes, sometimes I ask the same question: HOW did this get published? I'm getting too old to waste my time on books that don't rock my world!
