Comments on: City on Fire

By: Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors

Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:26:58 +0000

Hmmm…I am still curious! Although punk scene is definitely not one of my favorites to read about…

By: Jennine G.

Jennine G. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:07:14 +0000

So, as I pull up this review from my email, I am sitting in a chair at B&N next to a display of City on Fire. After reading that first sentence I picked up a copy. 2 million for a first book? So crazy. I’ll have to think on this one…like your honest review, but very curious what a 2 million dollar debut reads like!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:19:45 +0000

In reply to Kristin. Oh lord, Kristin, I read Middlemarch so long ago, but my initial thought is no. I struggled with most of her works, except Mill on the Floss. Honestly, the only classic chunkster I really liked is Bleak House. At 1,000 pages it took forever but the story kept building.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:10:12 +0000

In reply to Tara @ Running 'N' Reading. I don't like writing negative reviews but I couldn't even get through it without putting it down for weeks and then picking it up again. It did not keep my attention at all.

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 20:42:46 +0000

I’m so glad you read this and reviewed it so perfectly. Now I don’t need to. It’s a shame because at half the length, it sounds like something I really could have gotten behind!

By: Tara @ Running 'N' Reading

Tara @ Running 'N' Reading — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 19:06:18 +0000

Catherine, this is a GREAT post!!! Mine goes up tomorrow (and it’s nowhere near this good!) and it sounds like you and I had some of the same experiences and observations while reading this one. I tried really hard to love it, but I just can’t; even though I enjoyed many of the characters, it would be tough for me to spread much love about this novel.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:18:02 +0000

Great line: “Sounds compelling and if it had all been confined to 400 pages it might have been a show-stopper. At over 900 pages it is more like a door-stopper.” Right now, that’s how I’m feeling about Middlemarch. I’m assuming you’ve read it; does it get any better? (Here’s my effort to get a bonus review from you! :))

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:59:34 +0000

In reply to Shannon @ River City Reading. I'm with you- I love a long book but you've got to be able to pull it off and his writing is not enough. It's good veering towards great but trying too hard- if that makes sense.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:58:19 +0000

In reply to Sarah's Book Shelves. Now it's my turn to wait for you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. There were just too many things like the punk scene to make it enjoyable for me. Pick a few great items and go with them.

By: Sarah's Book Shelves

Sarah's Book Shelves — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:51:11 +0000

Aaah -I’ve been waiting for this review 🙂 That quote you shared sums things up really well! I found another quote in there that sums of Hallberg’s writing style to a tee that I’ll probably use in my review.

So far (just shy of 70%), I’m enjoying it, but not REALLY enjoying it. I get turned off every time the story turns to the punk scene. Drugs, psycho-babble, music, repeat. I can’t keep any of those characters straight.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish this week – fingers crossed!