Publisher: Dutton Adult
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416
Source: Library (borrow)
Genre: African American Fiction
Review Date: May 30, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
I haven't read EJD in a long time. I loved his earlier books. I was a little nervous picking this book up because many reviewers said that his writing style has changed and it's not as good as it previously was. Personally, I could detect the changes, but they aren't necessarily bad or good. For example, I could have done without all of the media reports scattered throughout the book. I see why were there, but they weren't really an important part of the story line. In the beginning of the book there were so many, I really just skimmed over them after reading several back to back.
This book took me way to long to read. I like books that I can get through in one or two sittings. It took me 14 days to read this book. And that is unheard of for me. I just kept putting it down over and over again. I was halfway through before things started to really pick up. Seriously, the cheating wife, Regina didn't make her appearance until almost page 200. Until then the whole story was about James wanting revenge, James contemplating running away, James changing his name and hiding out in the ghetto, James sleeping with several of his neighbors. I mean really,it seemed like it was going on and on, yet, nowhere in particular.
Now down to the two main characters. James & Regina...what can I say? They are both crazy!!! Due to their both being crazy and capable of doing anything to anybody, including each other, they deserve each other.
So finally, Regina shows up after coming out of hiding and BAM, the action starts with a vengeance. There's drugs. murder, deceit, blackmail, and all sorts of hidden agendas. It's hard to distinguished who the bad guy really is. By his actions, James is bad guy, but is he a product of his circumstances? Does what happened to him make his sins any more forgivable? Is Regina's ex, the bad guy? His hands are very dirty, but did he get what he deserved? Was Regina the spark that lite the fire? If so, did she get off easy in the end? So many questions, and depending on your point of view you could see this many different ways and left me thinking about it. The story left me thinking, what would I have done if my husband did this to me? Would I have been able to go off and seek vengeance like James did? In short, no! Hell No!
The end was surprising. Almost sad. I'm not going to give anything away, but James and Regina surly deserve to end up with each other and any happiness or misery that their marriage happens to bring them in the future!
Overall, I liked the book. I only wish that the action started a little sooner. Or maybe the book was just 50-75 pages too long. Regardless, if you can hang in for the first half, the payoff is worth it.
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416
Source: Library (borrow)
Genre: African American Fiction
Review Date: May 30, 2012
Rating: 3 bookmarks
I haven't read EJD in a long time. I loved his earlier books. I was a little nervous picking this book up because many reviewers said that his writing style has changed and it's not as good as it previously was. Personally, I could detect the changes, but they aren't necessarily bad or good. For example, I could have done without all of the media reports scattered throughout the book. I see why were there, but they weren't really an important part of the story line. In the beginning of the book there were so many, I really just skimmed over them after reading several back to back.
This book took me way to long to read. I like books that I can get through in one or two sittings. It took me 14 days to read this book. And that is unheard of for me. I just kept putting it down over and over again. I was halfway through before things started to really pick up. Seriously, the cheating wife, Regina didn't make her appearance until almost page 200. Until then the whole story was about James wanting revenge, James contemplating running away, James changing his name and hiding out in the ghetto, James sleeping with several of his neighbors. I mean really,it seemed like it was going on and on, yet, nowhere in particular.
Now down to the two main characters. James & Regina...what can I say? They are both crazy!!! Due to their both being crazy and capable of doing anything to anybody, including each other, they deserve each other.
So finally, Regina shows up after coming out of hiding and BAM, the action starts with a vengeance. There's drugs. murder, deceit, blackmail, and all sorts of hidden agendas. It's hard to distinguished who the bad guy really is. By his actions, James is bad guy, but is he a product of his circumstances? Does what happened to him make his sins any more forgivable? Is Regina's ex, the bad guy? His hands are very dirty, but did he get what he deserved? Was Regina the spark that lite the fire? If so, did she get off easy in the end? So many questions, and depending on your point of view you could see this many different ways and left me thinking about it. The story left me thinking, what would I have done if my husband did this to me? Would I have been able to go off and seek vengeance like James did? In short, no! Hell No!
The end was surprising. Almost sad. I'm not going to give anything away, but James and Regina surly deserve to end up with each other and any happiness or misery that their marriage happens to bring them in the future!
Overall, I liked the book. I only wish that the action started a little sooner. Or maybe the book was just 50-75 pages too long. Regardless, if you can hang in for the first half, the payoff is worth it.
Get the Kindle version here: An Accidental Affair
