Book Review: The Host

29 Sep

 

The Host (novel)

The Host (novel) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m four years late with this book review.  I don’t care.

Stephenie Meyer – the Twilight author – is not a great writer: stilted prose, dated language, and there is not one character in any of her books that hasn’t rolled their eyes at some point.  I find it incredible that she has an English degree.

Which brings me to my Six Word Saturday:

I have come to a conclusion:

You don’t have to be a good writer to be a great storyteller.

I had no internet for much of yesterday so I leafed through my Kindle and found The Host by Stephenie Meyer.  I started it because nothing else tempted me; I could not put it down.  Just like the Twilight books, which I love; but I think I love The Host more.

The most peaceful alien invasion known to sci-fi-kind; an impossible love story; a heroine sweet, adorable but not at all cloying – what’s not to love?  Unlike Bella Swan, who, much as I like her, has my palms itching to slap her and my teeth gritting get a grip every time she bursts into tears, which is often, I want to hug away her grief when Wanda cries.

Meyer’s themes of identity and self-image are pertinent; she is gifted at the unexpected; her characters are likeable.  What a shame her writing is so poor.  

Fortunately, it doesn’t matter: when a book keeps me up until two a.m. because I have to finish it, I say, if the author, publishers and editor don’t worry about the writing, then why should I?

The book is science fiction with barely any science; a love story with no sex; much of the action – if it can be called action – takes place in one dark location.  

Read it.

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To read more Six Word Saturdays, go here.

 

50 Responses to “Book Review: The Host”

  1. vivinfrance September 29, 2012 at 11:04 #

    This is the very model of a literary review: say what you mean, praise the good and villify the bad. Good storytelling is what I always seek in a book.

    Like

  2. jmgoyder September 29, 2012 at 11:29 #

    Okay – you have convinced me!

    Like

  3. soulbrush September 29, 2012 at 12:17 #

    I can’t continue to the end if I hate something- you are brave. I am not a fan of sci fi anyway.

    Like

  4. Lisaman September 29, 2012 at 12:34 #

    We all are so different with our choices of reading material…thank goodness for that!!!

    Like

  5. magicalmysticalteacher September 29, 2012 at 12:50 #

    Oh, the stories we all can tell!

    My 6WS

    Like

  6. Judy Loeffler September 29, 2012 at 12:52 #

    i am not into the Kindle thing yet. I am not a sci-fi person so woulod probably not be tempted to pick up this book especially since it has no sex in it.

    Like

  7. Jenn @ I Am Not Superwoman September 29, 2012 at 13:09 #

    So tell us how you really feel…lol…Good to be honest. I don’t read her books although I have had to watch the Twilight smovies with my oldest daughter. Not so sure I should be admitting that…lol. Team Jacob. Did I just say that out loud.

    Like

    • Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife September 29, 2012 at 13:32 #

      I am a recent convert. Hub liked the movies and I bought the trilogy for him for Christmas. He made me watch them with him and I fell in love…

      Like

  8. SchmidleysScribbling September 29, 2012 at 13:23 #

    I’m not a good storyteller (that’s not what my husband says). I don’t have an English degree either, will history do? Dianne

    Like

  9. kateshrewsday September 29, 2012 at 14:12 #

    Cor. If I ever write a book I want you to review it, Tilly. You’re good. (If late)

    Like

  10. mairedubhtx September 29, 2012 at 14:35 #

    Sounds like a science fiction book even I could get through (and I am not a science fiction fan). You’re a good reviewer, if a bit late.

    Like

  11. Brenda Youngerman September 29, 2012 at 16:44 #

    i completely agree with your six words.. just because you can tell a great story does not mean that you can write very well!

    Like

  12. Wayne September 29, 2012 at 17:32 #

    I believe I am with you on this one.

    Like

  13. gigihawaii September 29, 2012 at 18:12 #

    I’ll take your word for it. Lol. However, I stopped watching the 1st episode of Twilight after 20 minutes. The movie simply could not hold my attention. This is why I like movies such as “Hope Springs” starring Meryl Streep so much. I prefer realistic stories that I can relate to. Ah, well, Tilly, to each his own!!!

    Like

  14. sanstorm September 29, 2012 at 18:31 #

    I won’t read it. It will offend my literary sensibilities. Besides, I’m jealous. Harrumph. Why can some people have plots? Eh? Clearly If I *had* a plot… couple that with my literariness and, hey prrresto, I’m the next big thing….

    Like

  15. Viveka September 29, 2012 at 19:51 #

    Great review … but not my type of book choice and not into the Twilight neither.

    Like

  16. McGuffyAnn September 29, 2012 at 20:10 #

    *LOL* Seriously? Well this is a book you won’t see me review. You are funny. Great job, though. 😉

    Like

  17. katheworsley September 29, 2012 at 20:18 #

    Great Six Words! I might have to look up that book just to see what I think! Happy Saturday!

    Like

  18. colonialist September 29, 2012 at 21:04 #

    It is rather depressing that successful books should be badly written. What does that say about editors, publishers, and even more importantly, about the reading public? Maybe proper prose puts the latter off, these days?

    Like

  19. benzeknees September 29, 2012 at 21:43 #

    I have never read anything by this author. Thanks for the review! BTW I guilted hubby into buying me some chocolate the other day & guess what he came home with? Maltesers! I was in heaven for a day & a half.

    Like

  20. laurieanichols September 29, 2012 at 22:14 #

    It is coming out as a movie. You know how annoyed I was with the Bella character and Stephanie Meyers horrible message to young women, be willing to completely give yourself over to a man when you are too young to know anything else. I would get so angry. I trust your judgement now that I know I won’t spend most of the time yelling at Stephanie for creating a world that is not very healthy for relationships for the young impressionable ladies.

    Like

  21. Three Well Beings September 30, 2012 at 01:55 #

    I do agree with you that storytelling is what’s most important. I’m not partial to Stephanie Meyers, but there are others! 🙂 I read a lot of history and non-fiction. Love it. But sometimes we just need good old escape! I love that, too!

    Like

    • Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife October 1, 2012 at 11:27 #

      As long as you can tell something is badly written, there’s nothing wrong with reading it. When our children can’t tell the difference is when we should start worrying.

      Like

  22. Jess September 30, 2012 at 07:19 #

    Glad you finished the book,same as you say,any book that keeps you up until 2am to finish it,has to have some degree of ‘goodness’ I don’t read books these days,which is incredible because I was always such a book worm.The Internet has broke that for me and now I read blogs or ::big deep sigh:: play on twitter!

    Like

  23. snakypoet September 30, 2012 at 12:56 #

    You’ve convinced me. I will.

    Like

  24. Pseu September 30, 2012 at 14:26 #

    Go on then, see if you can convince me…..

    Like

  25. 4joy September 30, 2012 at 22:09 #

    I love sci-fy and fantasy….your review has me wanting to read this one…..

    Like

  26. klrs09 October 2, 2012 at 03:32 #

    Hmmm — my snobbery won’t allow me to read the Twilighy books, but maybe, just maybe I could give this one a try. . .

    Like

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