Read, Interrupted: The Book of Lies
Don't get me wrong: I loved Brad Meltzer's work on Identity Crisis. He did a great job promoting his new book on the Glenn Beck show -- so good that I splurged as my wife bought the 3rd book in the Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.
The Book of Lies grabbed my attention from the get-go.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to stop reading at page 51.
I don't blame Meltzer. I blame the editors.
You see, I lived in Broward County for 15 years, and I visit family and friends there several times a year. I know the area well.
I know that Victoria Park is not just a park. I know that I-595 does not immediately connect with Alligator Alley off of I-95 (Sorry, Davie and Weston -- you've been wiped off the map. I'm sure the Rock won't be happy to hear that news). And I know that Alligator Alley always has traffic on it -- it's not some abandoned stretch of road anymore. That was decades ago, and the book is based in the present day -- complete with Department of Homeland Security references.
Like I said -- I don't blame Meltzer. At least, I hope and pray it's not him. Saying I-95 connects with Alligator Alley immediately is like saying the BQE immediately leads to Long Island: "Traffic? That's an afterthought. A detail worthy of being ignored."
You see, as an unpublished/self-published Lulu author, I have heard and read all kinds of advice on how to write and get published. One such piece of advice -- do your research! Another -- make sure you use details.
Meltzer's book fails on both counts.
If he can get away with eliminating entire populations off the map, then Damian and I should be embraced for writing a novel like The Velvet Mask -- that jumps from young adult intro to mature themes and introduces a whole universe of characters. We should be praised for writing a controversial follow-up which introduces the Enneagram to a wider audience like Return of Joshua, which speculates on whether a worldwide hoax should be revealed, even if the world has benefited from that hoax.
I can assure you, the descriptions of Broward County and other areas in the world are researched and accurate.
BUT ... for whatever reason, no agent or publisher has bought the concept.
So ... the editors who preach details at the Book Expo turn around and either encourage a writer like Meltzer to tone down the details, or they did not do a proper job of fact-checking.
It's funny -- I've been criticized in the past for not having details in my stories ... and he's allowed to get away with it. Must be nice to be able to focus on characters. I'm glad he's blessed with that free pass.
Anyway ... it's not like this is 1953, where you had to go to a library or travel to do research. A simple scan of Google Maps would of revealed the truth about Victoria Park and I-595 -- complete with street views.. A simple Wiki search will give details about towns, roads, etc.
The Book of Lies, it turns out, has an ironic and appropriate title for me. Books like this bring out my disillusionment with the whole publishing process. It's not about research, writing talent, or anything else that SHOULD matter. It's your pedigree, your friends, and your ability to sell.
Being an author is not about writing -- it's a sales position.
I'll probably finish The Book of Lies -- I want to see what happens to Cal, Roosevelt, Lloyd ... I want to see Ellis get his due.
Aaah ... I'll probably just read the Wikipedia summary.
Glad I still have the receipt -- I think I'll go exchange this for some classic Harlan Ellison.
The Book of Lies grabbed my attention from the get-go.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but to stop reading at page 51.
I don't blame Meltzer. I blame the editors.
You see, I lived in Broward County for 15 years, and I visit family and friends there several times a year. I know the area well.
I know that Victoria Park is not just a park. I know that I-595 does not immediately connect with Alligator Alley off of I-95 (Sorry, Davie and Weston -- you've been wiped off the map. I'm sure the Rock won't be happy to hear that news). And I know that Alligator Alley always has traffic on it -- it's not some abandoned stretch of road anymore. That was decades ago, and the book is based in the present day -- complete with Department of Homeland Security references.
Like I said -- I don't blame Meltzer. At least, I hope and pray it's not him. Saying I-95 connects with Alligator Alley immediately is like saying the BQE immediately leads to Long Island: "Traffic? That's an afterthought. A detail worthy of being ignored."
You see, as an unpublished/self-published Lulu author, I have heard and read all kinds of advice on how to write and get published. One such piece of advice -- do your research! Another -- make sure you use details.
Meltzer's book fails on both counts.
If he can get away with eliminating entire populations off the map, then Damian and I should be embraced for writing a novel like The Velvet Mask -- that jumps from young adult intro to mature themes and introduces a whole universe of characters. We should be praised for writing a controversial follow-up which introduces the Enneagram to a wider audience like Return of Joshua, which speculates on whether a worldwide hoax should be revealed, even if the world has benefited from that hoax.
I can assure you, the descriptions of Broward County and other areas in the world are researched and accurate.
BUT ... for whatever reason, no agent or publisher has bought the concept.
So ... the editors who preach details at the Book Expo turn around and either encourage a writer like Meltzer to tone down the details, or they did not do a proper job of fact-checking.
It's funny -- I've been criticized in the past for not having details in my stories ... and he's allowed to get away with it. Must be nice to be able to focus on characters. I'm glad he's blessed with that free pass.
Anyway ... it's not like this is 1953, where you had to go to a library or travel to do research. A simple scan of Google Maps would of revealed the truth about Victoria Park and I-595 -- complete with street views.. A simple Wiki search will give details about towns, roads, etc.
The Book of Lies, it turns out, has an ironic and appropriate title for me. Books like this bring out my disillusionment with the whole publishing process. It's not about research, writing talent, or anything else that SHOULD matter. It's your pedigree, your friends, and your ability to sell.
Being an author is not about writing -- it's a sales position.
I'll probably finish The Book of Lies -- I want to see what happens to Cal, Roosevelt, Lloyd ... I want to see Ellis get his due.
Aaah ... I'll probably just read the Wikipedia summary.
Glad I still have the receipt -- I think I'll go exchange this for some classic Harlan Ellison.
Labels: book review, brad meltzer, the book of lies
posted by Skew | Wednesday, September 10, 2008
7 Comments:
Wow...and Brad lives down here, too. Raised in Brooklyn.
I've heard him on the radio and read all of the articles promoting this book. His publisher did a fantastic job marketing it.
My mom has this book reserved from the library for me.
I read that it kicks da Vinci Code's butt.
Anyway, I'd return it if I were you. Maybe read Woodward's latest on the White House instead? Or something else...
Thanks for the kind words for both of our work. I agree that if the subject matter had to be researched (old Broward County areas- Diane from work has lived here all her life and knows how things used to be), a Free Pass (tm) is in order. I scratch my head since Brad has been a resident here.
Brad lives here? I'm truly mystified.
I support Brad's efforts to save the Siegal house -- I mean, yeah, people in Haiti are drowning in mud, but I think it's important to preserve that run-down house.
***
I wonder if Superman would preserve the house ... or save the people in the Islands who are victims of Hurricanes Gustav, Hannah, and Ike. I'M JUST SAYIN', BRAD.
I mean, it's real cute to tug at the heart strings of a comic book fan like me, but don't we have better things to spend our money on? Isn't saving lives more along Superman's ideals?
Sheesh. I'm sick of self-aggrandizement disguised as charity.
Two Tu-160 Russian strategic bombers landed Wednesday at an airbase in Venezuela to take part in military exercises, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Russian defense ministry.
Russia could point missiles at strategic US targets in central Europe, including planned American missile shield sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, a senior Russian general said Wednesday.
Superman would do both, Truth Monger. :-)
Well ... he is Superman.
And your point reinforces my point -- Brad, being a mere mortal, should prioritize.
The only saving grace would be if proceeds from the house, once it is open to the public, goes to disaster victims -- it would be the closest thing to having a real-life Superman rescuing people.
As a truthmonger, I only deal in truth. Like Spock -- "I have no ego to bruise."
"The only saving grace would be if proceeds from the house, once it is open to the public, goes to disaster victims -- it would be the closest thing to having a real-life Superman rescuing people."
Wow -- now that would be a great idea. I'll buy another copy of the book if that's Brad's final gameplan.
***
FYI -- I traded in The Book of Lies for the 50th Anniversary paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings. It's all three books, along with prologues and appendices. G. and I will both be reading it.
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