just finished erich segal's OLIVER'S STORY, a sequel to his epic LOVE STORY. here's a quickie take on both novels-
LOVE STORY, a supposedly romantic-novel-to-swear-by is the most unromantic take on romance(yeah, i know twilight has changed your definition of romance. but we are talking of classical romance here) i won't get into the plot-most of you must already know it. if not, bury yourselves guys. anyway, this novel stands out due to its non-mushy, pacy, extrememly witty and tragic take on romance between the protagonists. this is not to say that they don't hold hands or make luhv instead of having sex. they do all these things but at no point of time do you feel 'ew, lame' or 'girly'. but somehow, you don't even feel like exclaiming 'aww, suh-weet'- maybe that's where i feel the novel lost out. but that's just my perspective. public opinion is its enormously sweet with a teary-eyed end. that is,
- Spoiler:
she dies.
i read this one about an year and a half ago and after getting depressed by all the dark stuff i was into recently, i developed an inclination to read the sequel.
i did.
i liked it- pretty much, that is.
it has the protagonist Oliver wanting to move on after the untimely demise of his love Jenny. a few intrusive, wanting-to-get-him-back-on-track friends get involved with oliver's messy state and try to set him up, only to fail. but one day he encounters a pretty damsel while on his jogging routine. they get talking and things develop in quite an unusual way. but oliver is psychologically not prepared, not ready to accept a blooming romance. he seeks psychiatric help but no avail.
pluses- like the prequel, even this has hilarious and clash of extreme quick wit among the protagonists. a salute to segal for his vocab, zany and simplistic weaving of plot, perfect angst creation and n making the book un-put-downable. the first 50 pages give you a big O(stands for the shape your lips form when you say wow)
minuses- somehow, it falls after that. just a wee bit though. but the initial humor is missing and the plot has got nothing to do with it. secondly the psychiatrist acts more like a listener than as a problem solving doc. till the end, he gives no possibly helpful suggestion. i was hoping a psychiatric explanation for the disappointing end but no luck there.
nevertheless, i liked it. and i've got Angels n Demons now(woo-hoo!) after waiting for ages. can't wait to dig back in it.
) but still thought I'd mention it....just in case any girl my age comes along for a visit. *sigh*
