Feb 04 2006
Quick Review of “Wildlife,” by Richard Ford
I picked up Richard Ford’s novel, Wildlife, after the Xmas holidays in a clearance store. The retail price is $18; I got it for $1.50 + tax. This is the first book I’ve read of his. He apparently won the Pulitzer Prize for something he wrote, but I don’t think it was for this book.
Initially, I was attracted to his writing style. Uncomplicated descriptions of things. Vivid images. Well-drawn, likable characters. A natural storyteller. Easy to read.
But about halfway through the book, I began skimming. That’s usually a bad sign. If it goes on for more than a page, it’s a very bad sign. 30 pages later I realized I’d been skimming for 30 pages. So I gave it up. I lost interest. I haven’t finished the book, and probably never will.
Don’t you hate it when you don’t finish a book?
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It depends on why I don’t finish it. If it’s because I’m too distracted or I don’t have the time, then I feel guilty. But if, like you, I find myself skimming, then I don’t feel bad about moving on to something that might be more interesting.