I was sick for several weeks and unable to focus on any serious reading. When I finally started feeling better, I wanted to jump into something special. I've had Paul F. Olson's Alexander's Song here for quite a while, and I was saving it for a special occasion.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Olson's work in the horror fiction field. His association with the great David B. Silva is a part of the genre's history. Olson's short-lived and badly missed Horrorstruck Magazine was a vital resource for fans and professionals. I also enjoyed his vampire novel, The Night Prophets.
On paper Alexander's Song sounds like the perfect book for me. It's a literary novel that deals with a famous writer's legacy. The Jill Bauman cover art is magnificent.
Unfortunately I am unable to recommend Alexander's Song.
The novel is well-written, but the lead protagonist, Andy Gillespie, is annoying and completely unlikable. A lot of verbiage is dedicated to his smoking. He is prickly and temperamental. When a bright teenage girl is eager to help him, Andy reacts with distrust and jealousy.
It occurs to me that there may well be good reasons why Olson made his character so unpleasant. I even wonder if the late writer's cantankerous nature is somehow affecting Gillespie's thoughts and behavior.
Then there are the numerous red herrings and secondary characters. I couldn't keep them all straight, and frankly I didn't care enough to continue to try.
I say it time and again in these pages. The one thing most lacking in the independent publishing industry is good editing. I'm not talking about finding typos or other copy-editing work. I mean a real editor who can take a manuscript and work with the writer to make it marketable. Every writer needs one, from Stephen King to the first-time author.
With deep regret, I abandoned Alexander's Song around page two hundred. I'm too busy, with way too little free time in my life to struggle with a book I am not enjoying.
I truly hate wasted reading time.
Mr. Olson, if you are reading this, please accept my apologies. For what it's worth, I didn't scarf a free NetGalley file or an advance reading copy. I paid for my book fair and square. At least you made a royalty from me.
Written by Mark Sieber
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Olson's work in the horror fiction field. His association with the great David B. Silva is a part of the genre's history. Olson's short-lived and badly missed Horrorstruck Magazine was a vital resource for fans and professionals. I also enjoyed his vampire novel, The Night Prophets.
On paper Alexander's Song sounds like the perfect book for me. It's a literary novel that deals with a famous writer's legacy. The Jill Bauman cover art is magnificent.
Unfortunately I am unable to recommend Alexander's Song.
The novel is well-written, but the lead protagonist, Andy Gillespie, is annoying and completely unlikable. A lot of verbiage is dedicated to his smoking. He is prickly and temperamental. When a bright teenage girl is eager to help him, Andy reacts with distrust and jealousy.
It occurs to me that there may well be good reasons why Olson made his character so unpleasant. I even wonder if the late writer's cantankerous nature is somehow affecting Gillespie's thoughts and behavior.
Then there are the numerous red herrings and secondary characters. I couldn't keep them all straight, and frankly I didn't care enough to continue to try.
I say it time and again in these pages. The one thing most lacking in the independent publishing industry is good editing. I'm not talking about finding typos or other copy-editing work. I mean a real editor who can take a manuscript and work with the writer to make it marketable. Every writer needs one, from Stephen King to the first-time author.
With deep regret, I abandoned Alexander's Song around page two hundred. I'm too busy, with way too little free time in my life to struggle with a book I am not enjoying.
I truly hate wasted reading time.
Mr. Olson, if you are reading this, please accept my apologies. For what it's worth, I didn't scarf a free NetGalley file or an advance reading copy. I paid for my book fair and square. At least you made a royalty from me.
Written by Mark Sieber
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