Janet Evanovich is getting flack from her readers

15 years ago

.....and I don't blame them.

If you look at this list of titles, you'll see how dramatically the reader reviews have changed from the early books to the later ones. I enjoyed her early books a lot, and they always made me laugh. I presently have Finger Lickin' Fifteen in my car CD player, and I'm glad I'm on the last disk. It features Lula, and the most ridiculous silly situations are just piled on, over and over. I think I laughed once. Maybe twice.

I'm guessing this is yet another case of a writer turning out more books, and at a faster pace, than she can manage well. I also wonder about those books she's co-authored. I tried reading one of them, and lasted about 20 pages.

Your thoughts?

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Comments (13)

maryanntx
15 years ago
I love her Plum series. I always look forward to the next book!
deemarie5500
15 years ago
Really love her books, even the ones that do not feature Stephanie. Did not read 15 yet, but my MIL said it was not as funny as previous books.

It should be interesting to see how the movie(s) turns out.
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Jasdip
15 years ago
Wow, what a shame. I admit I haven't read from 12 on, and according to this, I didn't miss anything, so I won't bother.

I think it's the case of too much, too fast.

That's how I feel about Daniel Steel. I haven't read her in years because her earliest books were terrific. I was so disgusted at her childish storylines in a couple of newer ones, I vowed not to even bother with her.
sheilajoyce_gw
15 years ago
I bought ONE Danielle Steel book, and found it so poorly written that I have never read another of her books.
iowagirl2006
15 years ago
SheliaJoyce -you only NEED to buy one DS book - just change the names and the location and you have a new DS book. LOL!

I do read them occasionally as something simple to pass the time. But it seems like she plugs the names and places into a computer and it cranks out yet another best seller!
azzalea
15 years ago
From what I hear, MOST of the really big authors, the ones who turn out several books a year don't actually write all their stuff. How could they possibly? when they're galivanting around doing signings, etc for weeks on end? That's sometimes why the earlier books are better than the later ones.

I do read a couple of authors who seem to do their own work--they only turn out a book every year or 2, but they're worth waiting for.
lindyluwho
15 years ago
I love all of Janet Evanovich's books. Now I wasn't as fond of 15 as I was the others but still enjoyed it. I have not read 16 yet. Stephanie Plum is my favorite even if some of the stuff is way out there. It's entertaining to me.

Linda
renee_b
15 years ago
Alisande, I'm with you. Probably the first 7 or 8 or so Plum book series were great. Heck, the first 3 had me laughing so hard and were so enjoyable, but, I've found the last few, though still good but not quite as entertaining as the first ones. I will still read them but I sure do miss the comedy that was there in the beginning.
maire_cate
15 years ago
Just finished 'Sizzling Sixteen' and it's just as formulaic as the others in the series. I did enjoy the first two but after reading a few more I realized they were all beginning to sound the same. It's rather disappointing and I agree that it seems to be a case of dashing them off and then sitting back and raking in the money.

Obviously her books aren't great literature but during the summer when I'm sitting by the pool I like to pick up what we used to call 'lite lit' at the library. Books that don't have complicated plot lines that require a flow chart to keep track of who did what to whom, when, where or how. I want something enjoyable that's easy to read and amusing. Unfortunately her books have lost their appeal. She doesn't even bother to change the description of her characters - she uses the same phrases over and over from book to book. As a reader I find her laziness nearly insulting. Granted she's making lots of money so why change anything - I'm sure she's not worried about my critique.

Maire
vannie
15 years ago
I thought 16 was one of the funniest ever. I laughed til I almost cried at 16. I've loved them all. I agree the one she co-authors aren't as good, just as the ones James Patterson co-authors aren't as good--I don't read those at all anymore, but Stephanie is just great!!
pammyfay
15 years ago
It's hard to keep the standards and momentum up when an author's "signed on" to doing a series like this -- Sue Grafton's "alphabet letter" series is another example. Grafton just can't stop -- she has a publisher and reader obligation, I'd think, to continue.

But I like both series. Evanovich's are a much quicker read for me now, tho. But some of us need our dose of Ranger!

Vannie brought up something I was thinking of-- a lot of authors resort to "co-authoring"--Patterson is one of the biggest.
cheerful1_gw
15 years ago
I'm a James Patterson fan, especially the Alex Cross series. Used to be I couldn't wait until any of his new books came out (I'd buy the hardcover version - on sale, of course). After reading one of his latest co-authored books, I was completely turned off. Does he need the money that badly that he resorts to this?

Will now wait for the paperback version.
marry
15 years ago
I was really disappointed to find out that her new book "Troublemaker" is a comic book!
Sorry, not interested!

Janet Evanovich is getting flack from her readers

Comments (13)

maryanntx

deemarie5500

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