Friday, August 29, 2014

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (review)

Attachments 

Attachments

by Rainbow Rowell

Genre(s): Chick-Lit, Contemporary
Pages: 327
Published: April 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group



Summary:  ""Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you ..."

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say ...?"




Review:  I am very mixed about this book. Overall, I enjoyed it. The pace was mostly very well down, the writing was clear and the story was entertaining. Yet it has some negatives as well that kept me from fully ever being engaged with the novel.

This book takes place from two very different perspectives. The first is from Lincoln(Linc). About 65% (guesstimate) of the book we travel alongside him. He is an IT/security man for a newspaper. Late twenties, several degrees under his belt, very smart, and still living with mom. Right away I can see how socially awkward he is. Certain things with him just don't seem to 'click' on a relational or emotional level. Yet I could not help but like him.

The other perspective is all an email/chat between Beth and Jennifer. Two other employees at the paper. Part of Lincoln's job is to search and read emails that get flagged. He is supposed to warn employees about inappropriate computer usage. Yet he is drawn to their conversation. In particular he is drawn to Beth. So he never reports them yet continues the email reading.


In many ways, Linc's behavior is creepy-stalker like. Especially when he checks out her work station and starts going to her boyfriend's concerts. I try to accept the email reading as he is still doing his job (you never know when personal conversations can turn into something else) but the other things were not okay. So even though he is a nice guy, his disconnect gets him in trouble with me.

Another thing that drove me nuts in this book was the chat/email style. Every other chapter at first (and then every third chapter) is between Beth and Jennifer. While this part does not bother me, the STYLE in which is is written drives me nuts! << Beth to Jennifer >>......<< Jennifer to Beth >>...... UGH! All the back and forth gave he a headache at my regular reading speed so I had to really slow down and focus on who says what. A simple << Beth >> when Beth was chatting would have been much easier. Or a --->Beth if it was Jennifer to Beth. Just keeping is simple would have been much appreciated!

The other thing that bugged me is until over halfway through the book I could not visualize anything. We are in the middle of the book at the first mention to what Lincoln looks like. Let me simply say that until then I stereotyped how he looked. He got the adorable geek look. Skinny, hair in the eyes, etc. Apparently not! And therefore my mind was confused to what to imagine. I like knowing what the characters look like a lot sooner.

While the falling in love over reading emails as a third party seems odd, I still enjoyed the story. I have a friend that reminds me greatly of Lincoln (less the stalking) with the highly schooled, social inept gamer mentality. Although with Beth being a movie critic I also see it as a cute fit.

So the story moves nicely and has lots of coming-into-your-own going on. A late-in-life self discovery. I love seeing Linc mature and blossom. I just wish the manor was a bit more healthy. A fun, light and playful read.

*I received an eCopy of this book for review from PENGUIN Group in return for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*


 

9 comments:

  1. It does sound a bit creepy, but also strangely intriguing!

    --Trix

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  2. I only read one book from Rainbow so far, it was Fangirl and I didn't like it. I'm not sure if I want to read this one, because I actually know how does it feel when someone reads all your personal stuff and then confronts you when they read something they don't like. I don't know, Rainbow can choose topics, I'm sensitive about and people are falling head over heals in love with it. I don't know. I'm not sure I would enjoy this.

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  3. I can't wait to read this book! I'm sad that it wasn't a better read for you but I am still super psyched and can't wait to get the $$$ to buy it :) Thanks for the review!

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  4. I hope that Rainbow write something different other than this.

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  5. I loved Eleanor & Park, but I have yet to read anything else by the author. This one just didn't really interest me from the beginning, and just from reading your review, I am still not too sure that this one would be for me. But heck, I may just give it a try!

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  6. I had heard about this book around the blogosphere and it has been on my TBR list for a while. The topic intrigues me and reminds me somewhat of one of my favorite movies, Thief of Hearts(1984).

    I agree with you about the email style. "Jennifer to Beth" "Beth to Jennifer" is confusing.

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  7. This sounds creepy in so many ways, It's not my cup of tea so I doubt I will even try reading. Thanks for the honest review, and Happy Reading! :)

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  8. I loved Fangirl and Eleanor & Park, so I think I'll give Attachments a try next month after I finish the September TBR list. Thank you for the review!

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  9. Sounds interesting Ill have to check it out!

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