Since I
started by blog, I’ve done an annual Advent Book Calendar highlighting books I
have enjoyed and authors I really like.
This year I thought I’d do an Advent Book Calendar with a twist; for
each day leading up to Christmas, I’m going to post a review of a book to which
I’ve given only one star (Throw a book at this one) or two stars (Don’t put this book in your book bag). Though I would not recommend these books,
others have disagreed with me. Each
book, on Goodreads, has received a 3 or 4 Star average rating.
Review of The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura
Lippman
1
Star
In the late
1970s, five childhood friends (Gwen, Mickey, Sean, Tim and Go Go) spend their
free time exploring the woods outside their Baltimore neighbourhood. Then a
tragedy occurs which changes their lives and those of their parents. It is a
tragedy which they never discuss until Go Go's death (accident or suicide?)
brings them together. Gradually the truth of what really happened in the woods
is revealed.
The
viewpoints of the friends are given, as are those of the parents. Everyone's
motivation is examined. The problem is that irrelevant information is often
included. For example, Gwen's mother was an unfulfilled artist who constantly
wondered whether she made a mistake by marrying young. These details add
nothing to the plot. Virtually every character suffers from depression and
guilt about some choice made in the past. In essence there is too much analysis
and retrospection and not enough drama. The revelations at the end are
anticlimactic because it is obvious which characters lied and what they lied
about.
In the
recounting of the childhood escapades, the use of first person plural narration
- the "royal we" - is very annoying. Sentences like, "And then
we met the man who lived in the woods" suggest that one of the five is the
narrator, but then all five are identified in the third person. This narrative
technique does nothing but irritate. Collective experience and/or guilt can be
conveyed without resorting to such distracting tactics. Furthermore, the
childhood friends are all so self-absorbed that suggesting they can think or
speak as a unit is not convincing.
The novel
examines a number of subjects: friendship, jealousy, secrecy, guilt, and
forgiveness. Obviously, the idea that the past and its secrets are always part
of the present is a major theme.
What is the
most dangerous thing? A secret? The truth? People's good intentions? The reader
will have to decide for him/herself if he/she decides to read this
not-so-thrilling "thriller."
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