Paint It Black: A Novel by Janet Fitch
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Book Reviews of Paint It Black: A Novel
Book Review: I've stopped caring.
Summary: 1 Stars
I totally agree with everything the "one star" reviews said about this book! Ok I get it, Josie. You're small, pretty, ...whorish. Yes and your little brat boyfriend killed himself...and his mother is moody...blah blah blah. Your car is a piece of crap, you go to punk clubs, you cry alot, every little thing reminds you of Michael and you spend 2 freaking pages describing it, just before devoting another 4 pages to more of the same. I've been skipping pages 2 or 3 at a time, scanning for something lurking in a paragraph somewhere that may be in any way different from the 2 chapters before it. All I've found is bits and pieces of plot here and there, and more redundant blabbering about her poor poor dead boyfriend and her pathetic little life. I'm afraid that for the first time ever, I will not be able to hold out long enough to actually finish this book. Usually I hate putting down a book without at least finding out what happens in the end, but for this one I could honestly care less. I need likeable characters (I can only really get into a book if I can either identify with or find interest in at least ONE character), I need an actual plot! This book has offered neither. I loved White Oleander...but I wonder what Finch was thinking with this one.Book Review: Loved White Oleander. Did not enjoy this book at all.
Summary: 1 Stars
White Oleander is one of my favourite novels. Paint it Black seems like it was written by a different author altogether.
I didn't care about the characters. Josie is so one-dimensional and pathetic that I didn't care what happened to her. I simply did not feel for her.
I read this book once, and felt very disappointed. It was a chore to actually finish the book, and I found myself just scanning pages towards the end instead of reading them. I picked it up again last night, (over two years later) and tried reading it again. I thought maybe I could just enjoy it this time for what it was, but about 45 pages into it I tossed the book aside.
If you want to actually read a good novel about similar subject matter, read Morvern Callar.
Morvern Callar
Book Review: Sophomore slump
Summary: 1 Stars
Poor Janet Fitch. White Oleander was a great book that beautifully portrayed the story of a young girl as she interacts with her surroundings. I believe Fitch had every intention of doing the same with Josie, but failed miserably. The book is beyond repetitious and never actually gets anywhere. This could have possibly worked as a short story. There is no climax, there is no plot line, there is no story. The minor characters are underdeveloped and weak and add next to nothing to Josie's story. Even the setting of the 80's seems irrelevant most of the time. This was a huge disappointment, but I still managed to read the entire book just hoping and waiting for something profound and interesting to happen; sadly, that never came. Don't waste your time reading this book unless you enjoy being bored, frustrated and depressed.Book Review: Miserable at Best
Summary: 1 Stars
After reading Janet Fitch's first novel, White Oleander, I was excited for her newest one, Paint it Black, but upon reading it discovered it to be an utter disappointment. It almost seems to be written by a different author;it's the simile-happy story of Josie Tyrell, a stereotypical 'it' girl in the 80's LA punk scene. Every sentence reemphasizes just how messed up this Josie is and how awful it is that everyone judges her because of her damn yellow coat.
Don't get me wrong, the story itself is worthwhile, but the incessant references to musicians and artists got in the way of the plot and will bug the hell out of anyone.Fitch should have stuck to her original writing style-ahem White Oleander-instead of opting for this more undeveloped one. I wouldn't advise reading this book if you enjoyed White Oleander.
Book Review: Huh?!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Who is this writer and what has she done with the real Janet Fitch? I read White Oleander twice. The first time I really appreciated the insight Fitch seemed to have into the minds of foster kids. After the movie came out, I read it again, and was impressed as much by the poetry in her writing. Paint It Black is as empty as the prior book was full, as cliche as the other was poetic. My friend bailed out after 100 pages. I hate to leave a book unfinished, but in our conversations it became known as "that dreadful book," as in, "Are you still reading that dreadful book?" Perhaps Fitch had already written her great book and felt the pressure to produce another, inspiration be damned, from a publisher or agent. For more of my rants, raves, and recommendations, check out my book blog allthepage.today.com