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Monday, August 11, 2008

Found Money and a Lengthy Book Review

I found a dollar on my 4 mile run this evening! With an overall time of 39:17, that dollar was pretty much the highlight of my run. I've never found money on a run before, but after spending who knows how much on running gear and races, it's about time I started to recoup some expenses. I would, however, be more appreciative if those expenses came in hundred, not one dollar bills, but I guess I should be happy with my found money, no matter the denomination.

In other news, I finally finished "Breaking Dawn" today. For those who are currently reading it, no fears, I will not spoil the plot for you, and for those who don't read the series, go ahead and leave me a comment about the found money and be done with the following. But for those who remain (ie: fans of the "Twilight" series who are either currently reading, have read or are anticipating the read of BD, read on my friends), here are my thoughts:

Overall, I think it was good. There are, however, some criticisms. Now, I won't comment on the plot issues that book reviewers and fan reviews online have been noting (although I agree with most of them), but I do have two major criticisms: One, the length. If I were Meyer's editor, I would have demanded that she cut it by at least 150 pages. I am not adverse to a lengthy novel (two of my favorite novels are "Gone with the Wind" and "Les Miserables" each well over 1,000 pages), but I think length should add to the story, not detract from it. And it's my general opinion that editors allow writers who are big-wig-money-makers (JK Rowling, for example, whose last 3 novels in the HP series could have been heavily edited as well) to write with little restriction. Not smart. I am of the E.B. White school of thought that "less is more" and, in my opinion, Meyer was allowed a too-free reign with the word count in this one.

Second criticism? The anti-climatic ending. True, the last 50 pages were incredibly engrossing, and I was on the edge of my brain with anticipation, but then? Well....I thought the plot took an easy way out, and quite frankly, I think Meyer left things conveniently open. Yes, she says this is the last in the series (excluding "Midnight Sun" -- Edward's telling of "Twilight" -- to be released, tentatively, sometime in 2009), but the ending seemed to leave so many loose ends that I would bet $10 she wants the wriggle room to write more if she later decides she wants to. Which, in some ways, I'm fine with, but I think it could have reached a more dramatic and satisfying climax. (Think of the Harry Potter climax in the last book, now that was a satisfying peak to a series' end!)

Otherwise, my other criticisms pretty much sync up with what some reviewers have said, and then I have always maintained that Meyer's writing is a little, well, stylistically lacking, but those concerns are minor. Overall, I am impressed with her ability to tell an engrossing story. And before this series, I had no idea that a tale of vampires and other monsters could be the stuff of fairy tales.

16 comments:

chia said...

I'm on New Moon and really kind of "disenheartened" that everyone mentions the anticlimactic nature of the "conclusion."

I hope to fight with you on this soon, but, unfortunately you're usually right.

meanie :-).

teacherwoman said...

Nice job on the run and the dollar find. Wahoo!

I haven't gotten into this series, but always looking for something different to read!

Anonymous said...

I found a wad of 20 dollar bills once right outside of a store. I was elated but then my conscience (sp) got the better of me- I went to the store, reported the money and they took my info and told me they would call me if anyone called. No one did and I got to keep the cash. That was a fun day

Kevin said...

Great job on the run. Found money is always nice, but it always seems to come in small denominations

Anonymous said...

Yay for found money.

I just got New Moon from the library, so it'll be a while yet until I'm to the final book. Thanks for a review that didn't actually reveal anything. :o)

sunshine said...

Whoo hoo! I've never found money on my runs.. so jealous! You can buy... anything on Mickey D's dollar menu... mmmm.... french fries -- perfect post-run snack. :)

i am Susan said...

One time I found $40 on one of my little runs. I honestly started looking around for the suitcase full of money with no luck...it made my day.

Unknown said...

Thank you for releasing me and allowing me to simply comment on finding money today. I wish I would find some money on my runs. Don't spend it all in one place:)

E said...

I've never found money on my runs. I need to keep my eyes out because money found is better than nothing!

I really need to read that series!

MN Mom said...

I too really enjoyed and liked this book BUT I too thought it dragged on with a lot of the same. I also thought the part of the story I was looking forward to that I really wanted to feel satisfied with, went a little quick.
I think she is leaving it open to follow a couple of the other characters in another book.
But over all I was happy to read it.

Anonymous said...

THANKS for the review and for not spoiling ;)

M.

Anonymous said...

Don't spend all that new found money in one place!

Unknown said...

I have never found money on a run. I think I'm due to find a large chunk of change soon.

Jess said...

Lucky you finding some money on your run!

Marcy said...

Dayum I never find anything. Good for a soda, right? LOL

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

I knew I lost a dollar on my last run...thanks :-)

a few years ago I found five bucks, it was weird to see it blown up against a fence ... I was like WTF is that a five spot, had to look twice... then I took it and went to Taco Hell!