Customer Reviews

Dazzle (Paragon Softcover Large Print Books)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had to have this book after reading the condensed version in Good Housekeeping. The main character, Jazz Kilkullen is as exciting as her career in celebrity photography. And her relationship with Casey Nelson is what attracted me to the story in the first place. Here is a woman who can practically have any man she wants, including a hollywood megastar and a charming war photographer. Then, her eyes fall upon an awkward and clumsy *only when around her!* investor/cowboy who's as interesting as Jazz herself. I read this book in one day. It's utterly sinful, full of steamy sex, and an absolutely satisfying read! My favorite Judith Krantz novel!

DAZZLE by Judith Krantz

June 18, 2005

Rating 3/5 stars

I was a bit disappointed with this novel by Judith Krantz. I had read MISTRAL'S DAUGHTER back in the 80's, and just loved it! It was one of my favorite novels from that time period. Unfortunately, DAZZLE read like the author was churning it out just to satisfy the publisher.

The novel is about Jazz Kilkullen, whose father owns a huge cattle ranch in South Orange County. The book's current time frame is 1990, but the story goes back to the past to tell the story of her parents and how they met. After her mother, who was a very famous foreign-born actress, died tragically, all that Jazz had left was her father, and her two older half sisters who hated her. Their mother had poisoned their minds to expect that Jazz was only the daughter of the woman who took their mother's place in their father's life, and that they were the true heirs of his estate when he dies.

Jazz grows up to be a very famous and successful photographer to the stars, and her story is told in flashbacks. She started her career as a child who loved to take photos, and found she had a knack for it. When she falls in love with Gabe, a photographer who wanted to travel the world to far and distant lands, she follows him. She is barely an adult at this point in her life. She finds herself in the middle of wars, riots, anything that is dangerous. The two eventually settle down in France, become engaged and plan their wedding, but he leaves her at the altar. Jazz immediately moves back to the States and her father's ranch, hoping to forget her first love.

DAZZLE goes back and forth in time, but also switches from one character's story to another, a very common story telling device in this genre of books (think JACKIE COLLINS, whose books are shorter but are much more smuttier). Jazz's two older sisters also take center stage at various points, each with their own problems and eccentricities. And their father also takes center stage, as he finds that he has to ward off investors who want to take his land and divide it up. He could be a millionaire if he sold the land, but he refuses to destroy the legacy of his family, and the history of California.

The problem I had with DAZZLE was the characters. None of them felt "real". When Jazz falls in love with Gabe, for example, it didn't feel real. Where was the chemistry? It made no sense to me what led them to fall in love. Nothing fell into place. It was as if Krantz was writing a novel without any feeling for the characters true selves. When Jazz falls in love with her distant cousin Casey, that didn't make any sense to me either. It was as if the author turned on a switch, and the next sentence had them in love. There was something missing in these characters, or possibly in the writing itself. I love these epic novels, but this one didn't quite do it for me.

I don't want to say that I hated the book. I did enjoy the story, mainly because I grew up in Los Angeles and lived in Orange County for quite a while. I recognized a lot of the places that Jazz would frequent, and it brought back memories for me. I also found the story fascinating. Novels like this that take history and create fiction stories out of them are fun for me, but unfortunately, a good story doesn't work if the characters aren't thought out a bit better. I also think that if Dazzle had been edited a little bit more tightly, it might have worked. I'm giving DAZZLE three stars.

I've read most of Judith Krantz's novels and this one was a disappointment. Jazz was her usual likeable main character, but too many unnecessary characters really weakened this novel. It seemed that even great-great-grandparents were brought in as characters as the story went on! The male character who seemed to be a challenging, interesting match for Jazz just disappeared halfway through the story. There were some fun and memorable moments, but Mrs. Krantz usually does a much better job than this.

Throughout the entire recording, I kept waiting for Jazz to be told by SOMEONE, ANYONE, to grow up and stop thinking the world revolved around her. No such luck! She just goes her merry way, insulting absolutely anyone and everyone, and everything comes up roses for her. NO redeeming qualities, like those that saved Billie in "Scruples" and "Scruples 2" - just a nasty woman and a group of people who adore her for no apparent reason! I'd rather listen to static on my radio. :)

It is true judith krintz. The way she portrays the people to the end. I am a big fan of hers. Once again she has not let me down.

The first 10 pages were maybe ok, but she is way too wordy and descriptive. Get to the point or story already, except I don't think there was one in this book. I skipped most of the book looking for a story, there really wasn't one. I won't read any more of her books.

Dazzle is a good book, however I think I like the Scruples series better. This one doesn't move as fast as her others, but all in all, it's a decent read for a Krantz fan.

The main character in Dazzle (that's her name believe it or not) may be one of the most appealing of Judith Krantz's pantheon of attractive heroines. As usual, you get a very entertaining modern-day fairytale, lots of interesting details (this time, about the world of commercial photography and California land grants...I know, sounds like a wierd combination, but that's entertainment!), some sex scenes for mild titilation (why are the lesbian scenes the most erotic in her books?), and a satisfying resolution. One bonus for Krantz; in one brief scene, a few of the former characters in her other books make cameo appearances. I wish Ms. Krantz would do that more..it's like meeting old friends again!

Needless to say i couldnt finish this book.I made it part way through and had to stop.The book just seemed to turn into a bad Lifetime movie.I have only read one other of the authors books.Hopefully they get better.

For me, Dazzle is the best use of American Contemporary English ever! Not since reading Winston Churchill's English have I found such rewarding uses of language! A well-told tale told in the best our tongue has to offer!