Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson

If I had to describe Sexing the Cherry in one word, it would be easy. Bizarre.

Describing it in more than one word is the hard part.

This is not so much a novel but a mishmash of disjointed stories. There are some stories I liked (story of the dancing princesses) and some which made me laugh out loud.

But, all throughout the novel, I failed to see the point. I really did. Now maybe it's because I'm not intellectual enough to read between the lines. I can defer to that. But, really, it was too out there for my liking.

The book felt like a disguised social commentary. (For me) It failed in that respect as well. The author tried to tackle too many issues (pollution, discrimination, religious zealousness and lots more) that it ended up a hodgepodge of ideas.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe, just for the experience of it. But it's certainly not one to end up on my bookshelf.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This book seemed promising as it seemed to digress from the usual type of books I've been reading from The List. Thriller, murder-mystery and Ancient Greek.

The Secret History can be (and has been) described as a page-turner. Yes, it was more exciting than typical "Important Book" fare but I was able to walk away partly through it to read other books (The Road, Suite Francaise) that weren't on my list. That fact, I think, is more a testament to the author's writing rather than to my renowned self control (yes, I do exercise it occasionally).

The book reminded me too much of Special Topics in Calamity Physics and that affected my appreciation of it. Admittedly, The Secret History was written over 10 years before Calamity and it's likely to have served as research material for the latter. Nonetheless, I could not help draw comparisons between the two.

History is a murder mystery set in a small college in Vermont and revolves around Richard (poor boy on scholarship from California) and his new friends (eccentric classmates from a very small, exclusive ancient Greek class).

Yes, the writing was quite good, character development was extensive (albeit unconvincing in some) and the pace was well set. However, the book had a tendency to ramble, the plot had inconsistencies here and there, and the central characters were not at all likeable (not that they have to be, really, but I like to root for my characters).

All in all, a good first effort from a writer. It still leaves me wondering why this (instead of a number of other better books) was included in The List. Yes, it's better than ordinary fare (The Nanny Diaries, for one. God help me, I broke down and read the damn book because of the upcoming movie starring Scarlett Johanssen. Book was BAD.) but nowhere near the best.

Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

I had previously read Sarah Waters' Fingersmith via Jax. I thoroughly enjoyed that book so I was happily looking forward to reading Tipping the Velvet.

I was disappointed. Now, I can't differentiate between the effect of my higher than usual expectations and the actual (not very good) writing but I just didn't like this book.

Yes, it's gender-bending and modern thinking (maybe). But, it felt like a romance novel for lesbians. It read like one of those epic Danielle Steele (yes, I have to admit, I've read my share of her books. this was in my early teens, mind you. so shut up) novels with improbable plot twists but for lesbians.

Does it sound like i'm homophobic? I'm not and I don't wish to come across as one. My emphasis on the book being about lesbians is that that idea is exactly what the book seemed to be touting.

I felt like the book was saying (yes, yes, i know books don't actually speak. i'm not completely silly), "Hey, lookie here! A book about lesbians! How marvellously exciting and ingenious!."

Now the book isn't deplorable or horribly bad but I have to wonder how it made it to my List. It's worst crime is being mediocre. This List has a lot of explaining to do...