I'm currently reading (or attempting to read) an advanced reader's copy of Mark Z. Danielewski's new book, Tom's Crossing. I've been looking forward to this for months. But it's written in what I'll best be able to describe as country-ese. Think Huck Finn. I don't mind quite so much when it's a character's dialogue, but for the narration to be written that way just immediately turns me off. And while I imagine it's meant to bring you more into the story, it just completely takes me out of it.
I've had issues with this in the past. Irvine Welsh does this (although, I accept that's a me thing, because presumably, that's actually how Welsh talks.) Couldn't even begin A Clockwork Orange. Danielewski does this in his Familiar books, which also immediately turned me off of them. I've classified Groom's Forrest Gump as one of the worst books I've ever read, and maybe it was for this exact reason.
I want a story to carry me through it using it's language, not have to wield a machete to cut through the debris. Maybe I just need to accept that these aren't for me.
Does anybody have any tips that can maybe get me to see it another way? Or perhaps even enjoy the experience?
by jstnpotthoff
1 Comment
It sounds like this book is just not for you if you’ve struggled with similar styles in the past. I don’t think anything is going to make you suddenly enjoy it if it’s rubbing against you so strongly.