BOOK CLUB: October - Peyton Place by Grace Metalious

Well I suppose it had to happen sooner or later, but I'm quite surprised it was this book... I couldn't finish Peyton Place. I actually chose it because I read it years ago and I've always remembered it as completely thrilling, but after drudging through the first few chapters I found I just couldn't go on.

I think I may just have been in the wrong mood and I'll certainly give it a go again in the future, but oh my goodness, I found it quite painful. I remembered it as being so involved and exciting, but this time I thought the writing was dreadful and lumbering and I just couldn't go on.

Did anyone else read it?

Comments

[alison]

I did! It's one I'd never read so this seemed like a good excuse. After the librarian had to bring it down from the archive for me, a 1960's hardback, I felt obligated. Plus I'd just had a baby and my brain would have read pretty much anything without realising I was free to stop at any time.

It does get better I think, but is overwritten with a cast of hundreds, a POV with a bad case of ADD and none of the stories particularly thrilling. In fact Grace Metallious's story is far more compelling, shunned by her neighbours for writing a book based on their secrets, sued by a man who thought he was in it, couldn't even be buried in her hometown. The first case of something not living up to its own hype perhaps?

[Keris]

Oh yes,read a fascinating article about Grace Metalious a while ago. And, yes, the POV thing drove me mad! That's not something I would even have noticed the first time I read it. But it wasn't thrilling, you say? Perhaps it was because I read it when I was an innocent teen... sigh.

[Wendy]

Sorry Keris, I missed this one. Too much other stuff going on at the moment - but perhaps it's just as well 'cos I can't imagine I'd like it at all from your comments ;o)

[diane]

Yes, I read an interesting article about her some time ago (praps the same one as you, Keris). I just didn't have time to read this though, but I'm kinda glad now... thanks for going there so I didn't have to! xx