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Brian's Reviews > Malevil
Malevil
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by
What a mess.
I really need to do better research on what novel I will read next aloud to my wife, especially when said work is on the wrong side of 500+ pages. Ostensibly, this stinker looked to have all of the right pieces of a ripping yarn - even if it might be dated (early '70s) and containing an overdone topic (survivors of nuclear holocaust), the high ratings here on GR and the "23 WEEKS ON INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER'S LIST!!" prominently displayed on its cover pushed it over the edge. God, will I ever learn?
In 590 pages of exposition and tedious writing there are three well written scenes. It doesn't matter what they are because you won't read this book. The remaining 575 pages read like a poorly written how-to manual providing painfully dull detail of fortifying your 12th century French castle after a nuclear event. The author must have spent a decade working through every single possibility; he has his characters embody the different opinions of what should be done but leaving Emmanuel (the narrator and protagonist) always left making the final, and best, solution.
Did I say characters? I meant males. Because the females in this book exist only to be fucked or fought after. I have no idea what Merle is like in real life, but he is definitley no Theroux writing mysogony. Hearing my wife groan over the constantly poorly written scenes and female characters was the Greek Chorus to this dreck.
I have only kicked two books across the room after finishing them in disgust. This one was so bad I have remorse now for punting the other.
Avoid. At all costs.
I really need to do better research on what novel I will read next aloud to my wife, especially when said work is on the wrong side of 500+ pages. Ostensibly, this stinker looked to have all of the right pieces of a ripping yarn - even if it might be dated (early '70s) and containing an overdone topic (survivors of nuclear holocaust), the high ratings here on GR and the "23 WEEKS ON INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER'S LIST!!" prominently displayed on its cover pushed it over the edge. God, will I ever learn?
In 590 pages of exposition and tedious writing there are three well written scenes. It doesn't matter what they are because you won't read this book. The remaining 575 pages read like a poorly written how-to manual providing painfully dull detail of fortifying your 12th century French castle after a nuclear event. The author must have spent a decade working through every single possibility; he has his characters embody the different opinions of what should be done but leaving Emmanuel (the narrator and protagonist) always left making the final, and best, solution.
Did I say characters? I meant males. Because the females in this book exist only to be fucked or fought after. I have no idea what Merle is like in real life, but he is definitley no Theroux writing mysogony. Hearing my wife groan over the constantly poorly written scenes and female characters was the Greek Chorus to this dreck.
I have only kicked two books across the room after finishing them in disgust. This one was so bad I have remorse now for punting the other.
Avoid. At all costs.
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Jonfaith
(new)
Sep 25, 2016 10:10AM
Splendid. I just had an image of delivering a spot kick on ZT/BD and shattering my foot. It is a distinct possibility given I keep the behemoth by our bed.
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Jonfaith wrote: "Splendid. I just had an image of delivering a spot kick on ZT/BD and shattering my foot. It is a distinct possibility given I keep the behemoth by our bed."Haha - yeah, you would be in a walking cast for 2 months if you were to take on ZT.
Someone once gave me a box set of Robert Merle books but I left them on the bus on the way home. My book angel protecting me from breaking my foot perhaps...
Fionnuala wrote: "Someone once gave me a box set of Robert Merle books but I left them on the bus on the way home. My book angel protecting me from breaking my foot perhaps..."Your book angel is a star. Mine apparently was out to lunch when the Merle card came up.
"Because the females in this book exist only to be fucked or fought after." Isn't this true of most post-apocalyptic novels, and isn't this because this scenario is probably what would happen if all institutions broke down? I doubt there would be many "safe spaces." Cf. "The Road."
Hearing my wife groan over the constantly poorly written scenes and female characters was the Greek Chorus to this dreck.:)
@Fionnuala I laughed so much with your comment!
