Jeg kan godt lide at læse en historisk krimi nu og da, og hvis forfatteren kan sit kram, gør det ikke noget, at den er på over 700 sider. Men efter ca 50 sider lagde jeg Sepulchre til side, uden egentlig at være nået så langt, at jeg er i stand til at vurdere plottet.Sproget er simpelthen for romantisk og svulstigt for mig. Jeg har en fornemmelse af at bevæge mig rundt mellem bølgende barme, i det mindste metaforisk.
Her en beskrivelse af heltinden, Léonie:
”Men nu blussede hendes alabasterkinder. Tykke proptrækkerkrøller af kobberfarvet hår havde løsnet sig fra hendes kamme og vældede ned over de nøgne skuldre. Hendes blændende grønne øjne, der var indrammet af lange, kastanjebrune vipper, glødede af vrede og dristighed.”
Hm. Jeg går muligvis glip af en storslået historie, men blussende alabasterkinder? Nej, det er vist ikke mig, der er målgruppe for denne biblioteksbog.
Kate Mosse, Sepulchre (2007).
I do enjoy a historic crime novel once in a while, and if the author knows her stuff, I d
on´t mind at all ploughing my way through more than 700 pages. But after around fifty pages I put Sepulchre down without even getting so far that I am able to judge the plot.The language (the Danish translation) is simply too romantic and high-flown for me. I feel I am navigating among heaving bosoms, at least metaphorically speaking.
Here a quotation about the heroine, Léonie:
“Now, her alabaster cheeks were flushed. Thick ringlets of copper hair had come loose from her combs and tumbled down over bare shoulders. Her dazzling green eyes, framed by long auburn lashes, flashed with anger, and boldness.”
I may miss out on something, but flushing alabaster cheeks? Well, at least this quotation (from Amazon.com) has convinced me that the original language is not my taste either.
I borrowed it from the library.
.jpg)
11 kommentarer:
Dorte - I know what you mean about the kind of language that's used in some fiction. If it's not done well, it can be burdensome. And more than 700 pages seems a lot for that kind of prose...
Margot: well, I am sure there are millions of readers who love her style and her stories; I am just not one of them. I can live with a bit of romance in a compelling crime story, but NOT with alabaster cheeks (unless they belong to a marble statue):D
I had a similar experience with Labyrinth. It was too slow, the characters flat and the writing very average. I gave up before the end and wasn't tempted to try any of her other books.
Dorte, I haven't read this one, in fact, I've read nothing by this author. So this is not about this particular book...but sometimes the translation from English to Danish can make an otherwise fine book into pure trash. Anyway, alabaster cheeks would be too big a mouthful for me too, and I am known to have a trashy taste...
I love historical fiction, but with that kind of language one would almost expect to see a cover with a sultry woman in a ripped bodice swooning in a man's arms!
I have my daughter's copy of 'Labyrinth' sitting on my shelf, but I probably won't read it any time soon.
Jackie: well, then I am not the only one :D
Louise: I know that the translation is very important, but what usually happens is that the Danish version may be more flat and boring. Kate Mosse was just too much - and I found the above quotation via Amazon so you can see the alabaster face is there in both of them!
Actually I don´t care too much about how other people label the books I read. I read chicklit and two-star crime novels once in a while, but if I don´t enjoy them, why on earth should I read on? :D
Kelly: I have also read some very good historical novels, but this one almost made me laugh because it was just too much. And as you say, a sultry woman wouldn´t be out of place ...
I've gone back and forth with wanting to read Moss and not. But the more I read reviews from people I trust the less interested I get. I think I'll just let her go for now.
Beth: when people want to read a book because I recommended it, I am very pleased. Somehow it feels more daunting when I have discouraged someone. Well, at least I haven´t said anything about her plot. Who knows, it may be excellent :D
I just bought "The winter ghosts" because the cover looked so inviting. Guess I should have checked out your blog first, because the first 30 pages have seriously annoyed me. But since I paid for the book, I will give it a chance and try again tonight. I was completely tired yesterday, after a strenous holiday and starting work again, hopefully it was just me...
Jane: well, if you don´t consult my blog first, it is entirely your own undoing :D
I think alabaster cheeks could be fun in a cozy mystery, but nowhere else.
Send en kommentar