Tuesday, June 12, 2007

I am inadequate

I want to post about Caroline’s book, In Search of Adam, but I find myself overwhelmed and unable to find the words. (Some writer I’m gonna make, eh?)

And I have to post today or else I risk leaving up a post about a Teddy Bear and a Dog in the clouds while I'm in the UK and any newcomers chancing on my blog might think I’m a bit … well, lacking. I don’t know whether I’ll have a second to post from the UK in between ‘all’ the book launches and socializing I’m going to be doing!

I chose to read In Search of Adam because of Caroline, blogging, and the novel racers, but I was a little afraid of what 'stuff' it would put in my head.

I don’t want to write a traditional review (they’ve been done so beautifully by others already – and amusingly - Bobo. See them all from Caroline's blog) but I did want to tell you what I thought.

In Search of Adam is beautiful; it felt like reading poetry (where I didn’t have to stop and speculate about what it meant). I slowed my normal reading speed right down to taste all the words, and shapes. I've worried about how I could describe it as ‘beautiful’ because the subject is so harrowing, but I think perhaps the poetry and the visual beauty enabled the horror of the story.

Don't let the subject matter put you off, it's a tragic story, told with such tenderness and humility. It's an emotional read but not a depressing one.

9 comments:

Helen said...

I too felt a little overwhelmed and unable to find the words to review her book (although I did and will be putting it up on amazon as soon as it will let me).

JJ have a great trip. Enjoy the launch, make lots of notes and take photos so you can tell me all about it!

Jon M said...

Nicely put. I'm looking forward to reading it but holding back for previously stated reasons. Borders ssssss!

It DID look like a teddy bear. :-)

Ms Melancholy said...

Hey JJ, I so agree with you. Both visual and poetic. It will be lovely to meet you at the launch, and presumably Man #2 also?

Yes, definitely a teddy bear. Most definitely a teddy bear.

Caroline said...

JJ your expression is beautiful. Thank you for being so tender.

See you soon ... I wish I didn't feel quite so sick!

x

Unknown said...

Have a great trip. I am jealous that you have read ISoA as my copy is sitting in Cornwall and my mother was supposed to bring it but forgot so I must wait.....

Jenny Beattie said...

Helen, I will stay sober, make lots of notes, take lots of photos and tell you all the gossip.. I promise.

Thank you Jon. I'm looking forward to rereading it too. (I'm glad you could see running Teddy.)

Ms M, Thank you, and I'm looking forward to meeting you too. I am bringing Man1 (who's not my husband - he would be Man2 and he's on parent duty, back in Bangkok!, and the High Priestess of Punk-chew-ation, Man1's wife. We will see you there.

Caroline, thank you. Oh my, I'm here. I'm very excited. I hope you won't be sick, I hope you will enjoy everything.

Liz, Oh how awful - but you see you have all the pleasure to look forward to. I am going to reread when I get back home. Are you coming tomorrow?

BEAST said...

Yeah Man#2 (me) is left behind babysitting bored boisterous brats in balmy Bangkok, Bah!

JJ, careful with Man#1, I know how irresistable he can be, but just remember the knees!

Jenny Beattie said...

Hi Beast
Well, he hasn't got his knees out yet, so he's looking pretty irresistable!
JJ

Liane Spicer said...

Haven't read it yet, but it's now on my list.