The Locket: 08/30/06

Sometimes it's refreshing to read a book where the main characters stick to their convictions and don't let other meddling characters undermine their feelings or their self confidence. Unfortunately too much self confidence can lead to a story with few surprises and sometimes boring narrative. The Locket by Richard Paul Evans walks a fine line between charming and dull.

The book reads like a standard romance of a poor protagonist having recently lost a parent must now find a way to survive in the world and of course win the heart of a wealthy suitor regardless of their class differences. Most of the time in these stories, the protagonist is female and the suitor is male. The Locket is written from the point of view of a young college aged man who is desperately in love with a brilliant and wealthy pre-med student who loves him in return even though they have nothing apparently in common. Their relationship is a bit like that of Ben and Elaine minus Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate.

Here's my BookCrossing review:

The Locket over all is a charming story of a man trying to do the right thing and win the heart of the girl he loves but it's bogged down by the protagonist's naivety and the sappy tone in which some passages are written. Over all I liked the story especially the friendships Michael made at the nursing homes but sometimes it felt like I was reading a book report as everything is written in the same flat tone except for the ones where the author tries to add some emotion to the scene and it comes off as sappy.

Then there is the slight problem of the trial. I can't believe that the case ever came to trial. Why weren't more people interviewed? What about making a timeline to see if all of the events made sense as originally stated? What about a proper autopsy to look for older injuries? Fortunately all these questions are finally addressed but the author opts for a Perry Mason ending instead of a C.S.I. one.

Here's the odd thing, I actually liked this book even with all of its flaws. I just think it could have been better. I enjoyed the book enough that I would read other novels by Evans if they were to cross my path. I think he has potential.

Comments (0) Steps: 3500