The Wonder Spot

by Melissa Bank | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0670034118 Global Overview for this book
Registered by gothamgal on 12/17/2007
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by gothamgal on Monday, December 17, 2007
Melissa Bank’s debut, The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing, was a literary landmark and a runaway bestseller. Now, in The Wonder Spot, she reminds us why she has been compared to John Cheever and Raymond Carver. Shaped by Bank’s trademark blend of emotional depth and wry humor, The Wonder Spot traces the coming-of-age of Sophie, black sheep of the Applebaum family of Surrey, Pennsylvania. As we follow her from the sweet bewildering moments of adolescence through the rigors of life and love in New York City, we are treated to a profoundly intelligent, page-turning triumph that confirms Melissa Bank’s reputation as a singular talent.

*******
I enjoyed this book, it was a great followup to the Girl's Guide.
Taking with me to CA.

Journal Entry 2 by gothamgal on Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Taking on my California Bookcrossing Adventure, Version 2.0...

Journal Entry 3 by Karenlea from Glendale, California USA on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Adding to TBR shelf. Thank you Nicole!

Journal Entry 4 by Karenlea at Glendale, California USA on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I wanted to give Melissa Bank a second chance after being underwhelmed with her debut novel, but I found her follow-up, "The Wonder Spot" to be equally underwhelming. This is not to say that the novel is without merit, as there are things that Bank does very well.

She doesn't write plot, she write slice of life and character sketches. This entire book comprised of slices of the main character, Sophie Applebaums, life. It's an examination of how a woman grows (or is stuck) as she develops relationships in her life. Again, this book doesn't have a big plot. It's almost like little short stories revolving around the same person. The lack of a forward plot or over-all arc, is a bit maddening and maybe if the character was more interesting, it would be forgivable.

Bank writes characters. She write real people. Sophie is entirely relatable, even if she isn't very likable. Unfortunately, I recognized much of myself in her character. The problem with making her so real, is it made the book a bit dull. This is not even remotely escapist literature or chick-lit. It's a character study. Sophie may feel real, but she is also not a very interesting person.

Neither are the other characters in the story. I kept getting them confused with one another, none of them made an impression. This was the major fault of the story. I can handle the lack of plot and realism, if the characters give me a reason to care. Unfortunately, I just didn't care about any of them.

I want to like Bank, as she has a way of writing that is authentic. I just desperately want her writing to be more interesting.

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