Review: A Story Without Morals
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 07 11, 2012
I both loved and hated this book, and for the greater time of my reading it, couldn't decide which. The beginning totally confused me. I couldn't figure out why Kate was gone, then was back at a wedding, then was gone again. Reading it on Kindle prevented me from rereading without a lot of trouble and figuring out what I missed, so I settled in to slog through the rest. Well, I loved Belinda ... for a time. I loved the use of first person and the "these-thoughts-are-in-your-head" feel of the sentences. It was as if I was reading all those things you think but never say. I loved that. But then the constant references to alcohol, page after page of curse words, the brief mention of drugs as if that was the most normal thing in the world, all got to me. But I was in the book now and wanted to know what happened to Kate. Then the author did what I hate the most, he took this character he'd made me love, ripped the bottom out from under her, stood the story on its ear, and removed what little morality she had left. Then I hated the story, and even through the end chapter, I still hated it. In the end, she had no redeeming qualities for me, nor was the final scene with her sister and Ben at the wedding even mildly amusing. I do not recommend this book. However, this is the first time it has not been because of bad writing. In fact, the writing was superb. Instead, it is because no one needs to put those ideas in their head. I am aware the character, Belinda, had a condition, and in no way are my comments affected by that because by the time I found out exactly what was going on, it was too late for her in my eyes.