Sunday, November 23, 2008

The Wordy Shipmates

I love Sarah Vowell, I'll admit that at the outset. Her book Assassination Vacation is one of my favorites. I just re-read it last month for the heck of it. So when I heard about her new book on the Puritans and the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, I was thrilled.

And then I read the book and was a bit disappointed. There's something missing - it's pretty heavy and a bit dreary. There aren't any of her roadtrips, like in AV, and her attempts to tie the Puritan Era to our modern era are a bit of a stretch. I can't quite put my finger on what I think it needs - maybe a bit more levity.

So while I still love Sarah Vowell, I don't think I'll be reading this one again.

2 comments:

Tasha said...

I've heard similar reviews to yours about this book. 2 of my friends simply stopped reading part way through.

knittergran said...

I downloaded this book to listen to on a road trip. I had to stop playing it.
I've discovered, however, that it makes an excellent, drug-free sleep aid. Just not a good idea while driving.
Not what the author intended, I'm sure, but it's b.o.r.i.n.g!