The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

[SydneyK]

I pre-ordered it from my local bookstore and was called yesterday letting me know it's in. I'll stop by this afternoon and pick it up. I want to finish The Appeal (John Grisham) before I start this one, though. Between The Appeal, Thursday's GA Tech/Miami game, and Saturday's NCAA games (VA Tech/Nebraska should be good!), I probably won't start it until Sunday. But I'm looking forward to it!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I want to finish The Appeal (John Grisham) before I start this one, though.

[sidetrack]How are you liking The Appeal? I was terribly disappointed in it, but I know others who really like it. [/sidetrack]

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

[sidetrack]How are you liking The Appeal? I was terribly disappointed in it, but I know others who really like it. [/sidetrack]

[continuing sidetrack] It's ok. I'm wishing it would hurry up and end - it's kinda dragging. Something about it makes me think I must've missed something along the way; it feels a bit scattered. He's written much better books, IMO. [/continuation of sidetrack]

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

[continuing sidetrack] It's ok. I'm wishing it would hurry up and end - it's kinda dragging. Something about it makes me think I must've missed something along the way; it feels a bit scattered. He's written much better books, IMO. [/continuation of sidetrack]

[continuing sidetrack again]That was my feeling. It seemed to lack a main character (or set of characters) that I could care about at all. [/end of sidetrack maybe?]

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

[sidetrack]How are you liking The Appeal? I was terribly disappointed in it, but I know others who really like it. [/sidetrack]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

[continuing sidetrack] It's ok. I'm wishing it would hurry up and end - it's kinda dragging. Something about it makes me think I must've missed something along the way; it feels a bit scattered. He's written much better books, IMO. [/continuation of sidetrack]

I thought that the first half to three-quarters of the book was pretty decent. I thought the last quarter of it was a bit over the top, though.

If you haven't read it, you should read Innocent Man. It's non-fiction, and a pretty interesting look into the wrongful convictions of two individuals. Pretty powerful stuff.

His newest book, The Associate, is terrible. It seems like he just completely mailed it in. I'm considering just giving up on Grisham altogether - he's gotten so caught up with railing against the private practice atmosphere that it's overpowered the rest of his writing.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

[continuing sidetrack again]That was my feeling. It seemed to lack a main character (or set of characters) that I could care about at all. [/end of sidetrack maybe?]

I agree 100%. At first, I thought the book was about Wes and Mary Grace and the Baker case. Now I'm not so sure. Spoilerfonted for those who haven't read it: Their settlement with the logging company just fell through and they just filed for bankruptcy. It's getting hard to support them when they're in only a third of the book (my estimate).

Originally Posted by KSigkid

His newest book, The Associate, is terrible. It seems like he just completely mailed it in. I'm considering just giving up on Grisham altogether - he's gotten so caught up with railing against the private practice atmosphere that it's overpowered the rest of his writing.

Thanks for the warning. I usually grab his books once they make it to paperback, but if The Associate isn't any better than The Appeal, I won't bother.

ETA: I feel like I should apologize for the hijacking, but since (1) MC started this thread and, (2) he's participating in the hijack, I don't feel so bad.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I agree 100%. At first, I thought the book was about Wes and Mary Grace and the Baker case. Now I'm not so sure. Spoilerfonted for those who haven't read it: Their settlement with the logging company just fell through and they just filed for bankruptcy. It's getting hard to support them when they're in only a third of the book (my estimate).



Thanks for the warning. I usually grab his books once they make it to paperback, but if The Associate isn't any better than The Appeal, I won't bother.

ETA: I feel like I should apologize for the hijacking, but since (1) MC started this thread and, (2) he's participating in the hijack, I don't feel so bad.

I feel like I completely wasted my money with The Associate. It seems like he took The Firm, made the situation more extreme, substituted characters and law firm names, and sent it to the printers. Plus, there's very much a "big law is bad" theme that seems a bit preachy.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

His newest book, The Associate, is terrible. It seems like he just completely mailed it in. I'm considering just giving up on Grisham altogether - he's gotten so caught up with railing against the private practice atmosphere that it's overpowered the rest of his writing.

See, I had kind of given up on Grisham -- I really liked his early books, but after a while they all started to read like different versions of the same story. But then a few collegues said "Read The Appeal --it's like the old Grisham." No. It wasn't.

Originally Posted by SydneyK

ETA: I feel like I should apologize for the hijacking, but since (1) MC started this thread and, (2) he's participating in the hijack, I don't feel so bad.

Shoot, I started the highjack . . .er . . . sidetrack.

[DaffyKD]

I am number 68 on the waiting list. Figure it will be a while before I get to read it. By then, I will have lots of reviews to know if it is worth the hype.

DaffyKD

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

I am number 68 on the waiting list. Figure it will be a while before I get to read it.

You'll get it before I do. I'm number 728 on the list.