The DNF Files: Shatter Me and the Purple Prose

It has been a while since I D(id) N(ot) F(inish) a book, but in light of all the Top Ten Tuesday advice I read about cutting yourself a break and not reading things that don’t make you happy, I decided it was time to cut a few books loose.  Shatter Me is one book that I decided I really didn’t want to finish.

A lot of people loved this book and if you are looking for a real review of the whole book, I suggest you check out Lucy’s review.

I was unable to get past page 32 of this book because of the language.  To me this is a perfect example of purple prose.  I know that some people would find this writing style beautiful, but it made me roll my eyes.  Let me provide a brief example.  If this is something you dig, read this book.  If it is something that makes you gag, skip this book.

“The moon is a loyal companion.

It never leaves.  It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do.  Every day it’s a different version of itself.  Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light.  The moon understands what it means to be human.

Uncertain.  Alone.  Cratered by imperfections.” (page 26)

I stopped at this metaphor and thought, wow, that’s provocative, but somehow it is just too flowery and too angsty for my tastes.  I don’t think I could read this paragraph out loud without affecting a soap opera voice.  Ultimately, as much as I was interested in this story, I couldn’t get past the purple prose.

Does language ever make you put a book down?  Bonus points if you share your favorite example of purple prose.

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren for us to share the books that have come our way recently.

My aunt passed on to me a few old books that likely belonged to my great aunt when she was a girl.  I was never really into Nancy Drew as a kid (I may have tried reading her when I was too young), but am excited to add these pieces in my collection:

From left to right we have The Whispering Statue, The Bungalow Mystery, and The Secret of the Old Clock, all Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyn Keene.

And this is The Ghost at the Waterfall by Helen Wells, which comes from a mystery series that features a mystery-solving flight attendant.

I also continue to get a bunch of holds coming in from the library:

World War Z by Max Brooks

Starters by Lissa Price

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

What’s in your mailbox lately?