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od1_40reads's Reviews > The Shards
The Shards
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I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, I didn’t hate it (though at times I thought I did). I was mostly engaged (though I did think it was going to become a DNF at around 300/400 pages), but I ploughed on.
Mainly, it’s far too long. The strength of the plot does not support it’s length. It’s overwhelmingly overwritten. A bit like Ian McEwan’s ‘Lessons’, it just felt like a vanity project for Ellis, wanting to write an epic. His own ‘Secret History’ (which I was also a bit ‘meh’ about.)
And whilst we’re talking about vanity… take a moment to think about Ellis, nearing 60 yrs old, writing himself into a story, as a 17 yr old, who’s having (almost constant) sex with ridiculously hot young guys (we’re talking Bruce Weber models by the sounds of Ellis’ fantasies). Of which we get pretty detailed accounts. So, erm, yeah, ok…
To Ellis’ credit (I think), these aren’t just purely wank fantasies however, as none of them ever amount to anything, and he’s always left, somewhat heartbroken, on the sidelines.
And unfortunately for Ellis (whom I’m sure was hoping it would be) none of it is particularly shocking. Not compared to some of the things I’ve read over the last year. If you were shocked by 50 Shades, probably stay away from this, but I think most other literary adults will be like, ‘And?’
(Except for the fish… if like me, you hate fish, let this be a warning! 🫣)
If you like Ellis, read it. If you’re curious, read it. If you’re unsure, find something else instead you definitely do want to read!
Mainly, it’s far too long. The strength of the plot does not support it’s length. It’s overwhelmingly overwritten. A bit like Ian McEwan’s ‘Lessons’, it just felt like a vanity project for Ellis, wanting to write an epic. His own ‘Secret History’ (which I was also a bit ‘meh’ about.)
And whilst we’re talking about vanity… take a moment to think about Ellis, nearing 60 yrs old, writing himself into a story, as a 17 yr old, who’s having (almost constant) sex with ridiculously hot young guys (we’re talking Bruce Weber models by the sounds of Ellis’ fantasies). Of which we get pretty detailed accounts. So, erm, yeah, ok…
To Ellis’ credit (I think), these aren’t just purely wank fantasies however, as none of them ever amount to anything, and he’s always left, somewhat heartbroken, on the sidelines.
And unfortunately for Ellis (whom I’m sure was hoping it would be) none of it is particularly shocking. Not compared to some of the things I’ve read over the last year. If you were shocked by 50 Shades, probably stay away from this, but I think most other literary adults will be like, ‘And?’
(Except for the fish… if like me, you hate fish, let this be a warning! 🫣)
If you like Ellis, read it. If you’re curious, read it. If you’re unsure, find something else instead you definitely do want to read!
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Mirnes
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Feb 11, 2023 01:53AM
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Alex: Please let’s not talk about the fish!! 🫣😫🤣
We are all now going to have to read it in order to find out what happens to the fish....
The mention of fish generates more questions than answers..
Lol! The fish have clearly become a thing! 😂 I really can’t write here how they get involved. But it isn’t pleasant!
Totally agree. This was too long.
But why not cry for the others????? Shingyyyyyy 😢
Mhm, why is it weird for a 60-year-old writer to write about sex scenes between young people? I don‘t get it. Are only young people allowed to write about this?
