Steven

Hey, why doesn't someone make a film of this book?

Reviewed: 03-01-16

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book is fine; the prose is beautiful and haunting at times. The only thing I'd change is the book's status; it's a really good book but overrated. I don't really understand why it's generally regarded as the great comment on "The Jazz Age." It's solid. It's well done. Worth all the credit it gets? I don't think so.

Would you recommend The Great Gatsby to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it, if for no other reason than everyone expects you to know it. It's part of the culture; you need to know what everyone is talking about. It's a pleasant enough experience, if simple in plot.

Did Jake Gyllenhaal do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Mr. Gyllenhaal did a fine job of drawing his characters, although his Southern Belles sound like 1950s gay man stereotypes.

Did The Great Gatsby inspire you to do anything?

I did watch the movie; in fact, the recent version and the HORRENDOUS Robert Redford version from the early 1970s. It's a simple story with vivid characters, why on earth can't they make a decent film of this book? I expect it's because they try too hard to attain the "greatness" of the novel.

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Narrator Doesn't Understand the Style of the Novel

Reviewed: 03-01-16

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Ranchero has a fast-paced plot with vivid descriptions of the characters and the Mississippi Delta. If you can stomach the narrator, which is a lot to ask I know, the writing is well worth your time. Just try to tune out the narrator and re-narrate Pearson's brilliant prose in your head.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The novel is told first-person through the eyes of Nick Reid, so all the beautiful prose is his; making it difficult to select anyone other than Nick as a favorite character. However, there are numerous colorful characters so the most interesting character is not an obvious choice.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator doesn't understand the narrative style of the book. The book is noir crime set in the deep south; picture Raymond Chandler waking up in Jackson, Mississippi. The narrator seems to believe he's telling stories around the campfire while ridin' the ol' Chisum trail. It's painful to listen to. The narrator's interpretation of elderly southern lady Pearl is especially grating.

Could you see Ranchero being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

This is the first of three Rick Gavin novels, so it's tempting to say it would make a television series. But it's an ugly world painted by the author, so I doubt it's the kind of world many people would want to visit on a weekly basis.

Any additional comments?

If you like the prose of the novel, but would like a less bleak world-view, try reading some of Pearson's early novels set in Neely, North Carolina, before he woke up one day and decided he was Rick Gavin. Pearson's early novels are American classics.

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