Bellman & Black discussion

The comments about this beautifully crafted gem of a novel blow me away. It just goes to show why Danielle Steel and Stephen King are so successful. They could only wish to write one novel as beautifully crafted and emotionally evocative as this one. Calling it a "Ghost Story does it a great disservice. I found it mesmerizing and poignantly insightful regarding the very nature of man's continuing existence. A man spends his entire life amassing material wealth while ignoring literally everything around him except the symbol of his own mortality, which he pursues obsessively.It is a statement about the nature of grief and man's relationship with his own ego and past, and the author uses the symbol of both death and the continuance of all life.

I agree. I was surprised by how many people didn't seem to "get" this book. It was beautiful. It made me think. It made me reflect. And through all that, I was entertained. I hardly was able to put it down. What more could you ask of a great novel?

Oh well I must be a bad reader then.

I INTEND TO READ "THE THIRTEENTH TALE" BUT CAN'T FIND IT IN MY LIBRARY YET. BYW: WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF MODERN BRITISH LIT., TREAT YOURSELVES TO THE AUDIO VERSION OF LIONEL ASBO, THE STATE OF ENGLAND,BY MARTIN AMIS (ex child actor) PERFORMED BY AN ACTOR WHOSE NAME I FORGET. THE READING MAKES RICKY GERVAIS SOUND LIKE RICHARD BURTON! IT'S VERY CLEVER, AND OFFBEAT.

I thought the writing in Bellman & Black was excellent. Her writing is beautiful. I loved the first half of the book. I have to admit the second half of the book was a little slow for me. I didn't really know how to review it. I wanted to give it a ton of stars, but I can't say I loved reading that second half. I think the problem for most people is they absolutely loved The Thirteenth Tale. It would be really hard to write a better book. I can honestly say Bellman & Black did not affect me the way The Thirteenth Tale did. That doesn't mean it's a bad book or that people that don't like it are bad readers. It's just different. I am looking forward to seeing what Setterfield writes next.

I believe the problem is that todays readers don't want good literature. They just want to be entertained. That's not enough for me. I appreciate a well-turned phrase, and subtilty of narrative. One needs to read between the lines. That's too much trouble for Mr. and Mrs. American reader. The average American today would be boared with Theodore Dreiser or Thomas Wolfe. Also, they just don't get her message. There is too much subtlity. Setterfield is an artist casting pearls before swine! I believe it requires an artstic mentality to read it.

Wow. I can't believe people didn't like this book. i was mesmerized by it and read it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down. I loved the idea behind it, her writing was beautiful and I couldn't put it down. It was so much more than a simple ghost story and seemed a meditation on the purpose of life itself. I can't wait for another novel by Setterfield.

Bunny21 wrote: "Wow. I can't believe people didn't like this book. i was mesmerized by it and read it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down. I loved the idea behind it, her writing was beautiful and I cou..."

If you haven't yet, you should read her novel The Thirteenth Tale.

I don't believe it was the best book I have ever read, but it was entertaining and pleasurable.


I did enjoy The Thirteenth Tale, suggested by Jana, more.

I'm pleased (for the author's sake) that I am seeing some favorable comments. I'll be looking for mor from her.

Wow. While I applaud the readers who loved this book, and enjoy hearing why they did love it so much, I'm appalled at the condemning of other readers as 'bad' simply because they did not share their enjoyment of it. There are millions of books out there; something for everyone. I myself did not much care for Bellman & Black, but I would certainly agree that it is beautifully written. Setterfield is simply a marvelous writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale. This one was just a bit dark for me. Does that make me a 'bad' reader? No, not at all. I will definitely read the next book Setterfield writes, with eagerness.

Hey; suit yourself. I don't particularly care what you choose to read. I was simply responding to the comments of former readers of this book for their unqualified dismissals of it.
As for "triad pubbed" and "SPA", I conceed ignorance but submit that to rank Dickens among the company among whom you include him leaves me speachless! You ceartainly would be included in a very exclusive minority!

Linda wrote: "Wow. While I applaud the readers who loved this book, and enjoy hearing why they did love it so much, I'm appalled at the condemning of other readers as 'bad' simply because they did not share thei..."

I'm with you Linda.

Haven't read this book (yet), but I did read and enjoy The Thirteenth Tale.

But to state that readers are "bad" simply because they didn't enjoy this one is very insulting and incorrect.

I am sick to death with elitist jerks who think simply because a reader doesn't enjoy a book they consider "literature" there is something wrong with them, and they are somehow lessor, "bad" readers.

"I believe the problem is that todays readers don't want good literature. They just want to be entertained. That's not enough for me."

Absolutes are almost always erroneous. You cannot lump "todays [sic] readers" in a box. After all Fritz, you are one of today's readers.

Many readers enjoy literature, but not every book considered "literature". Simply because someone didn't like this book doesn't mean they "don't want good literature".

Many readers do read primarily for entertainment. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that either. Only pompous, judgmental prigs would think there was.

Just because that "isn't enough" for you doesn't mean anyone who doesn't think the way you do is a "bad reader".

Wow. I am simply amazed anyone today, on a site like GR, would hold such an unenlightened, narrow-minded view of readers whose tastes and opinions differ from theirs regarding one book.

The Divine Ms M wrote: " I believe the problem is that todays readers don't want good literature. They just want to be entertained. That's not enough for me. I appreciate a well-turned phrase, and subtilty of narrative. O..."

I am reminded of why I love you Ms. M.

I'm seeing the "I am superior to the unwashed masses because I enjoy 'Literature'" attitude at work here, which I find a complete bore. Not to mention the assumption that if one enjoys "literature" they are required to appreciate everything anyone considers to be in that category. That's just bizarre.

And quite interesting coming from one who trashes the popularity of Stephen King and Danielle Steel, but happens to have many John Grisham novels as "Favorites".

Someone's gone very quiet.

The Divine Ms M wrote: "As well he should...

In general, pompous male asses with inflated egos and untenable pronouncements are dispensed with by females with bigger and better vocabularies and a tighter grasp on what ma..."

:D

All I can say is that I have no idea whether to read this book. I've often read incredible books like Jonathan Strange and am saddened that people don't see its beauty. So I believe that sometime the crowd is wrong and a book is great, just not for everyone. Sometimes a reader senses what is really not on the page. Can't tell which is the case here.

I personally love The Thirteenth Tale and liked Bellman & Black. I do however love her writing style. She is an amazing Gothic Horror Writer.

Wow, inellectual snob comments on this thread. Throwing pearls to swines? Americans are swines?? Geez! Never give less than 5 stars to very wordy books or you're a swine. It is actually ok to not like a book no matter how wordy it is. If a person wanted to they could rewrite a childrens book with chunky 4 syllable and larger words and call it literature. Gimmie a break snobs!

It's actually ok if a person has different taste in books than you. Thats why there are so many genres. It doesnt make them stupid. It just means they like something different.

PS Americans aren't stupid. We are diverse but NOT stupid!