Every so often I run across a discussion thread somewhere (message board, blog, book discussions) lamenting the death of "big books." You know, door-stoppers. Big, meaty, epic 500+ page sagas that were, once upon a time, all the rage.Well, I'm here to tell you, the Big Book isn't dead. Exhibit A, Dennis Lehane's forthcoming The Given Day, which clocks in at a whopping 720 pages. Exhibit B, Nelson Demille's forthcoming The Gate House that stands in at 688 pages. Nope kiddies, the Big Book isn't dead....
Just when it comes to the romance genre.
I'm going to be blunt, the lack of Big Books in the romance genre suits me just fine. There are readers like my Big Sis who, when finding a book over 500 pages long, thinks to herself, "Oh good, a book that will take me more than a day to read." Me? My palms begin to sweat. So yeah, I'm just not a Big Book kind of gal.
That is until I read one that is just begging for the 1970s romantic saga treatment. Posted today, over at TGTBTU, is my review of Kathryn Albright's latest Harlequin Historical western, The Rebel And The Lady. Now I love HH westerns. Adore them in fact. And I've lavished all sorts of adjective-laden praise on them over the years. But this book? It's the first time I've ever used the word "epic" to describe a book that clocks in at 288 pages. Oh sure, it's not perfect. For one thing, it's not long enough! That said, it's still really good. So good that I didn't want to wait for my End Of The Reading Month Recap to send y'all over to read my review.
Please, please, please check it out. And if you're a western lover or a historical reader who laments the rise of wallpaper historicals? Skip my review and just buy the book now. Seriously. That good. Final Grade = A-.
Note to Rosie: I think GG would really like this one.
9 comments:
That is ringing endorsement indeed!
Wow - you know I lurrve me some western historicals. Heading over to Harlequin right now....
(and can I just say? My word verification is ucrapit LMAO!!!!)
Huh. I'm almost tempted. I traditionally am not a fan of westerns. Although Sarah McCarty has kind of opened me up some to the idea of them.
I'll have to take a look. Also, gorgeous cover on this one, no??
I am with you on big books. My book group read Pillars of the Earth last month and I couldn't even start it, I was so freaked out that it was about 1000 pages.
Thank you for the lovely review, Wendy! I'll admit, I was worried about a TGTBTU review because I learned you were from Texas (and you just don't mess with Texas!) Had me on pins and needles...
Kathryn: Well you dodged the bullet with me because I'm not in TX. That being said, after my review I know of at least 3 of the TX gals who plan on reading it.
I thought you did a lovely job with the historical aspects, and I'm curious to see what Sybil thinks of it. We agree a lot on HH titles, and she's very familiar with the San Antonio area.
Wow, what a compliment!
I usually prefer short books. I rarely wish for one to be longer. I better check this one out. :)
LOL cuz she lives there *g* as does Lawson who bought a copy and I think Laura D has one as well who is in Austin ;).
So you could end up with all sorts of texas reading it *g*. Oh and Gwen was gonna pick up a copy.
;)
Okey dokey then... I saw your post yesterday but didn't have time to comment. This book is now in my hot little hands. We are going out of town this weekend. GG is driving so hopefully I'll actually get a book read. This book seems just about perfect for that.
Post a Comment