Well dear NT readers, I do apologize for my recent absence! Unfortunately (well, I suppose fortunately in the real world, although certainly inconvenient to my virtual responsibilities), my job has gotten quite hectic recently: big deadline, high-pressure client presentation, etc. etc. This resulted in my having to work long hours and also kept me occupied for most of the weekend. Now, in case you were wondering, I typically manage to accomplish my BOW challenge by squeezing in a few chapters during my daily lunch break (outdoors when the weather allows), another chunk here or there before bed if I'm not too worn out by the commute, and then the largest portion gets accomplished over the weekend.
With this week's derivation from the norm, I found myself scrambling Sunday evening to get through the last few chapters of Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Played With Fire. You'll be happy to hear that mission was accomplished, even if it was a day late! Much like its predecessor, TGWPWF is a fast-paced and vicious mystery, filled with graphic violence and hairpin twists and turns in plot. I had grandiose plans to discuss with you--my faithful readers--my special interest in the second books of trilogies (both written and cinematic): how they often offer strange changes in previously established patterns, how they frequently focus tightly on a central character's history/motivations/personal growth, and how they tend to be especially dark, relying heavily on the culminating third and final chapter of the collection to clean up the big mess that's made in the second book. Think Back to the Future, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials...and the list could certainly go on and on. I mean let's be honest: all of the above series had some seriously wacky things go down in their second chapter! It's kind of like a sandwich: the first and the third parts of a trilogy tend to provide the most structure, but it's that middle section where the big flavor (aka plot twists and character development) can be found. (Note: feel free to dispute this rather brash and most likely way too generalized of a statement, since it's mostly an off-the-cuff conclusion, rather than a heady and well-researched argument).
Anyway, since it's almost 10 pm on Sunday night and my very patient fiance has been waiting all day for me to spend some time with him, we'll have to leave this discussion on trilogies for another date! I did want to let you know that this week's BOW is the much-anticipated and very very recently released Great House, by NovelTease favorite Nicole Krauss. Read here for an amazing NYT review, supplied by my fabulous brother, Brian. I have been waiting for this book's release for months, and am so excited to savor its flavor during tomorrow's lunch break!
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