Heat Magazine's claim that The Truth About Melody Browne is an "instant page turner" is a statement with which I feel sympathy, if only so that I can finish and dispose of the book quicker. The more I read of Melody Browne the harder it was to imagine an excited publisher ringing the author after reading the book's draft screaming, "It's going to Print!" Rather, I felt, this book was published merely to meet a quota or to steal money from easy-going, Holiday readers. This unashamed, chick-lit novel doesn't deal well with it's heavy existential themes and could have been better written if perhaps Jewell had given her idea to a skilled author instead. The characterisation of Melody and other main characters was sub-standard. Melody Browne book often changes between now and the eponymous character's childhood, yet the time travelling is ill-handled with no convincing evidence beside brazen name-dropping of brands.
However, if one is being fair then one must marvel at the storyline behind the book. Here is a case where someone had a good idea for a story, but didn't possess the writing skills to follow through.
This book only receives 1 out of 5 from me. Poorly written and undeveloped, this book was a disappointment which I am ashamed to send to my local charity shop. Try again, Jewell.
No comments:
Post a Comment