Very disappointing
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Like so many other reviewers on this site I had really high hopes for this book. The fact it had been on the Richard & Judy book list suggested it would be the perfect summer holiday read but sadly reading it was like wading through treacle. The idea behind the book is intriguing but it is far too long and drawn out. There are too many subplots that bring nothing to the main story and too many poorly drawn characters for you to really care about them. The last few chapters move quite quickly but it is a long slog to get there. A book like this should be a great addition to your summer holiday - instead it felt like taking on a second job.
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what a disappointment
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I started this book a few nights ago in anticipation of an erudite, intelligent, riveting read, but have limped to the end of chapter 6 and cannot take anymore. It is the most poorly written and poorly edited book I have had the misfortune to waste time on, even outstripping the Da Vinci Code (which was appallingly written but at least was redeemed by the plot, and I did manage to finish that). My cousin warned me that this was rubbish, but I wanted to find out for myself in case it was a case of different tastes. She was right. I hate giving up on books but I'll be browsing my bookshelf for something new tonight. I came on here to see what other people thought and am relieved to discover I am not alone in my views. How has someone who writes so badly achieved such acclaim and success?
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Really Great Read
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I really don't know why everyone is giving this book a bad review. I bought this a few weeks ago and i was hooked, i couldn't put it down. I thought this book is better than Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, which is poorly written and boring.
I would advise anyone wanting to buy or read this book to forget all the other reviews and go ahead and buy it, you won't be disappointed. I promise you that.
I thought the way she went from modern day to the past was brilliant and she also helped buy putting the explanation of the french beside it and there is a lot more at the back of the book along with a walk around of the real Labyrinth in Carcassonne.
Buy it, buy it, buy it.
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not THAT bad
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To be honest I was disappointed with quality of the writing in the first 100 or so pages and then after reading some reviews I was convinced I had bought a clunker. However, something (mystical force?) drove me on and I am pleased to say things got better. I enjoyed the to-ing and fro-ing between the worlds of present day Alice and the Alais of 800 years ago and also matching the characters up - though blatantly obvious in some cases. The plot(s) were fairly tight and well worked out I thought and on the whole it held my attention. Not quite enough da Vinci type revelations but I don't think that was the author's intention anyway; it was more inclined to the historical than the sensational. I wouldn't say highly recommended, but if you start it stick with it.
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Average.
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When I bought this book, I was sure I would regret buying it - it's labelled a 'bestseller' and I think thats a bad sign, like the author is trying to say the book is good because it's sold a million copies rather that the story.
It wasn't as bad as I expected, though the beginning was very slow. The story is fairly average and it will spark up some interest. The ending is fairly good, but it is 'the ending', which is suppost to be the best part of the book.
One big problem is that it is too long, by about 200 pages and you get a sense the author is hoping that lots of quantity will disquise bad quality.
By the end, I felt I had gained something from the story, so it isn't a complete waste of time. I'm sure it will entertain plenty of shallow readers out there but I wouldn't reccomend this book.
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