Last word first: Not my thing, but a compelling story. Would Joe like this? He did read it, and when asked to describe his reaction, he said, "Shocked." Interpret that as you will.
Description: When Gavin and his girlfriend team with her best friend Simona to pull a phony mail order bride scam in the Czech Republic, Gavin gets in way over his head in the high-stakes and dangerous business of selling wives. When Gavin talks Katka, his girlfriend, into becoming part of the merchandise, planning to bait-n-switch the client in the end, things go awry and Katka disappears with the client. Partnering with the jealous and volatile Simona, Gavin begins to lament this risky life he has chosen, but finds the money is something he can't walk away from. Gavin's doubts grow; the con begins to consume him, and he finds himself thinking of Katka, the fate he dealt her, and whether he can undo the biggest mistake of his life.
My thoughts: I'm going to keep this short because, sadly, I really did not like this book. The premise sounded interesting, so I agreed to review the book, but Katka is just completely wrong for me. I didn't like the characters, I thought the plot flow was choppy, and (this is going to make me sound like a prude) the language made me cringe. We're talking more (f-) bombs than your average World War 3-type flick. I suppose the language was suited to the characters and situations, but that's just one more reason I didn't like the characters and situations.
I always feel badly about giving a negative review, because I have some idea of how much blood, sweat and tears goes into writing a novel. And I'm sure this book would really appeal to some people. Just not me.
About Stephen Meier: Stephen Ross Meier was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the first of many places he would live worldwide. He received his Bachelors in English from Arizona State University. He currently resides in Las Vegas, NevadaInspired by music, films, books, and the world around him, he is currently working on several projects, with his next book, Teaching Pandas to Swim, ready to be released soon. A huge fan of such writers as Charles Bukowski, Milan Kundera, Irving Welsch, Irving Stone, Chuck Palahniuk, and Brett Easton Ellis, Stephen has always been drawn to writing and story telling. Having been diagnosed with Heart Disease on May 10th, 2006, Stephen has been reminded that life void of passion is really not a life at all.
5 comments:
Yah the premise didn't sound up my alley either. It sounds like it would make a great movie though!
Sharp realistic dialogues, memorable and multifaceted characters, Katka has been a very funny and suspenceful reading. A movie from that? Great, can't wait to have a seat and enjoy it!
Hey there, no worries about not liking it, it's not for everyone! I just appreciate you taking the time to read and review it, I truly do. And I like that you said that this book might really appeal to some people. That's fair.
sounds like the premise was interesting, but if the writing is choppy, this wouldn't be a book that could keep my attention either.
I'm so glad Stephen Meier seems alright with your review. I gasped at the idea of selling wives.
There's this book I came across at Chapters in Montreal where the idea is to sell babies. I was shocked too. The title is The Baby Merchant.
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Baby-Merchant-REED-KIT/9780765315571-item.html?ref=Search+Books+Outlet%3a+%2527baby+theft%2527&foundIn=bargainbooks
My honey was with me and I was a little afraid to flip through the book. Maybe I'll pluck up the courage next time.
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