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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Belle Bombs in the Big Apple, September 7, 2008
This review is from: Belle in the Big Apple: A Novel with Recipes (Hardcover)
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Upon receiving this book, I immediately turned to the back cover for a synopsis to read. "Hmm...sounds interesting." If I knew then what I knew now...
The back cover synopsis is very misleading. I was expecting one thing and got another. The description of the book "Sex and the City" like is not true at all. I would've much rathered read about the exploits of Carrie Bradshaw and company.
The transitions of scenes do not go well and jump all over the place. The lead character thinks in her head a lot and then suddenly is talking to other characters in the book. The reader never knows when Belle is talking to herself or someone else. There is definitely not enough character development for the supporting characters. While Belle is the main character, her supporting cast needs to be developed as well. The prologue repeats itself halfway through the story. The story seems to jump all over the place. And the ending is outrageous and something right out of a fairy tale. I really did not enjoy this book at all. The recipes were so-so as well. I really can not recommend this book.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
I Couldn't Even Finish It, September 10, 2008
This review is from: Belle in the Big Apple: A Novel with Recipes (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I got this book from the Vine program and I'm so glad I didn't have to pay for it. It was awful! I couldn't even finish it. The story's all over the place, I couldn't even follow what was happening. Characters are mentioned without ever being introduced, locations change from page to page, it was too hard to follow what was going on and where the main character was or what she was doing at any given time.
The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because (1) the idea was good. A journalist who goes into political reporting during an election year held such promise as it closely mirrors what's happening right now. But it almost seemed like her job took a backseat to the rest of her life. I was about 3/4 of the way thru the book and I don't even know exactly what it was she did at her job! and (2) the recipes scattered throughout the book was a brilliant idea. At the end of each chapter, whatever food or beverage was mentioned, the author provided a recipe for at the end of the chapter. I liked this idea and thought it was clever.
It's just too bad the rest of the book wasn't as carefully thought out. The writing was poor and seemed like it was lacking direction. I don't know what exactly motivated the author, but it seemed like she kept changing her mind throughout the book of which direction she wanted the story to go. Was this a story about a young southerner making it in the Big Apple? A small town journalist who hits the big time with a career in political reporting on television? The dating and romance escapades of a 20-something girl in NY? A comedy loosely based on the many cable news channels that exist?
I'm sorry -- I wanted to like this book and even finish it, but it took too much effort and I have much better books to read right now. I really felt like I wasting my time and I certainly wasn't enjoying myself while reading it.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A not-so Wonderful Town, September 7, 2008
This review is from: Belle in the Big Apple: A Novel with Recipes (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Ambitious young woman comes to New York, set on conquering the city. Sound familiar? It's probably been done a hundred times, in books, movies and musicals. The protagonist of "Belle in the Big Apple" even moves to Sullivan Street, just like the Sherwood sisters in "Wonderful Town", but her approach couldn't be more different.
Belle is what we'd call a "trust fund kid", whose expenses (including for taxis, because she's directed to avoid the subway) and job leads come from her Southern family. Without giving the story away, it's no surprise that she and New York aren't a good match, although except for a neighbor, it doesn't seem she has contact with any New Yorkers outside the TV station where she is employed. This can be contrasted with the trip to the docks which Ruth Sherwood makes in search of a story.
Comic book writers know that even if their town shares some characteristics with New York, it's different enough that they should give it a different name, say, "Gotham City". The New York Belle lives in is such an alternative universe, starting with an unbelievable subway mugging--muggers and purse-snatchers throughout the world know to blend in and not wear expensive clothing and accessories which could be easily identifiable (not that we ever see any indication that Belle makes a police report)--and continuing to float above the ground, never coming in contact with any real New Yorkers.
If Belle had done any research about New York City before coming, including reading the New York Times, she'd know from that paper's "Metropolitan Diary" that you can't experience New York without traveling on public transportation, particularly the subway.
While the author biography indicates Brooke Parkhurst lives in New York City, this book creates a city so unappealing that it's really hard to believe this is so.
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