Re: JCO: Guardian review of Mother Missing

In a message dated 10/9/2005 6:09:16 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, gjcouzens@btinternet.com writes:

http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1587303,00.html

Thank you for pointing us toward the Guardian Review of Missing Mom----I'm thinking this particular reviewer was once criticized as "un hip" and has never quite gotten over it.....

 

Best

Christa

Re: JCO: Missing Mom

Steve, that is so true about the cliche comment, "Gosh, JCO has written a lot of books."  I also found irritating that the reviewer pointed out, "No one has ever asked WHY JCO writes so much" (I'm paraphrasing a little here).  She left me with the impression that the reason behind the high production MUST be something negative.

 

Imagine asking a writer "Why do you write a lot of books instead of just one or two?"  How dumb a question is that?

 

Also, not ALL of JCO's books run with blood......but presumably it's more fun in a review to imply they do, rather than trying to discuss the subtle nuances that are present in even JCO's most "violent" works.....

 

Best

Christa

JCO: Guardian review of Mother Missing

Here's a rather negative review from The Guardian (UK) review section on
Saturday 8 October:

http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/generalfiction/0,,1587303,00.html

Apparently - though I haven't seen it - the Daily Telegraph reviewed the
novel as well, under the headline "Time to Slow Down". :(

Gary

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RE: JCO: Missing Mom

Hi:

 

My impression is that the reviewer likes the book very much, and strongly approves of JCO's concentration on "blood" in all the possible meanings of the word.  It sounds to me like statements such as "it hurts" are meant as a compliment, because the reviewer seems to believe that JCO's willingness to deal with the unpleasant things in life is good.  Given how much effort is put into covering all the world's problems with frosting, I certainly agree myself.  I would have liked the review better, though, if it hadn't started with a reference to how many books JCO has written.  Reviewers who don't understand how much of a cliche that observation is lose a little bit of my confidence.

 

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jco@usfca.edu [mailto:owner-jco@usfca.edu]On Behalf Of RFoley7292@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2005 1:26 AM
To: jco@usfca.edu
Subject: Re: JCO: Missing Mom

Reads like one of JCO's more positive reviews from the NY Times.  At least for once, there's nothing blatantly negative and ill-informed.  Maybe they finally "got it"....or maybe they didn't want egg on their faces if she wins next week.

Re: JCO: Missing Mom

To RF Foley and others--

 

You are certainly right---at least it wasn't the usual lengthy diatribe, full of misinformation.  I think you may be right; they are frightened of how foolish they'll look if she wins next week.

 

Christa