Anyone here read Jeffrey Archer?

[scifisentai]

Because I just finished Shall We Tell the President? and if that's indicative of his writing then I know not to bother in the future.



It didn't drag or anything and my issues here are more about characterisation than plot, which I did find compelling for the most part. The frequency of the derogatory insults - mainly from the Bad Guys who are supposed to have views that are abhorrent, but not always - made me twitch; the big reveal was... not, because by that point it was obvious it wasn't going to be the guy everyone thought it was and I found it hard to sympathise with the protagonist and his angst over his love interest and his sulking about not being able to get any without his protective detail knowing everything. I just... really don't get his priorities at all and, as I said, if this is Archer's usual style I know to not bother again.

Thoughts?

Comments

[brewsternorth]

I had a crack at his Eleventh Commandment. I don't know about the other book, but I really didn't care for the book in general. (It passed the time while I was hospitalized, I wouldn't've picked it up otherwise.)

[scifisentai]

Yeah, I didn't really care for this one, although I did finish it for completionist sake.

[miss_s_b]

You read Jeffrey Archer? The man is a byword for awful writing! I salute your fortitude....

[scifisentai]

*grins* It was only £1 so I thought I'd check it out, see if he was any good. I'm thinking I won't bother again. :)

[sideways]

Ha! I've both read and enjoyed Jeffrey Archer; he's not my favourite author, being more inclined to spin together twisty plots than interesting character relationships, but I seem to recall enjoying Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and some of his short stories. Admittedly this was several years ago, when I was less discerning and less likely to guess the twists before they occurred.

[scifisentai]

*nods* It was the characterisation I had the most trouble with in this one, so it sounds like it's not an area he's strong in, generally.