Along Came A Spider - James Patterson 3-5 stars
It's interesting how you return to a book you've already read and your opinion changes after a long absence. For a long time I was an Alex Cross junkie and devoured the series any chance I could. When I began to read Along Came A Spider I was ready for greatness, ready for that James Patterson rush I used to get everytime I cracked open one of his books. Is it as good as I remember? Yes, and no. Patterson's first Cross novel is an intro of sorts. You get to meet Alex and even meet an sinister guy who's kidnapped a couple of famous kids. Patterson's style is easy to read and focuses more on action than storytelling. Cross is likeable enough but it's Soneji who steals the first half of the book. You can't help but either like or hate this guy but then as the novel wears on, there's a few more layers added to the novel. What seems like a simple kidnapping becomes something else entirely. The second half slumps a bit as we detail the relationship between Cross andJezzie which sets up a series plot twist you don't see coming. That's where Patterson's strengths lie. He's an author who keeps things simple even when they aren't plausible, but it's fiction so it's perfectly fine. He's a writer who is out to entertain the reader while keeping things moving as swiftly as possible. Everything happens for a reason, or does it? In the end, Along Came A Spider is more fluff than substance and that's why his books sell so well. The chapters blend from Cross' to Soneji's seamlessly. It allows us to see things from two different perspectives. It's a tactic that works well when you're trying to build a novel that's different from everything else.
The problems begin later with Cross refusing to give up the case. The book goes from suspensful to downright slow paced as we see Jezzie and Alex grow closer together. What isn't implied is that the novel takes place over the course of two years. Had no idea and it's not mentioned until halfway through the novel. It's doesn't take away from the novel's strengths which are excellent, but it feels like Patterson is trying to find his groove with this first book. Theres nothing wrong with that, but that seond half could have been eradicated and the book would have been far better. Still, it's not terrible and it's a decent start to what would soon become Patterson's bread and butter. Cross is an interesting character who you can't help but like and while the villian in this one is a bit lackluster towards the end, he at least keeps you interested. When you read Along Came A Spider it's important to understand that you aren't reading something enlightening. This is reading for fun and we all need that. Patterson made a lot of money writing simple yet thrilling novels that are designed to be read while on a bus or on the beach. We need Alex Cross because he's a guy we can believe in. He has a backstory we can all get behind and the pacing and plot of the novel do tend to slow a bit, it's still not a terrible book. Even as I sit writing this I know I'll read the rest of the books knowing there's some great entries to the series. Spider is the beginning of Cross' journey and it shows.
It's interesting how you return to a book you've already read and your opinion changes after a long absence. For a long time I was an Alex Cross junkie and devoured the series any chance I could. When I began to read Along Came A Spider I was ready for greatness, ready for that James Patterson rush I used to get everytime I cracked open one of his books. Is it as good as I remember? Yes, and no. Patterson's first Cross novel is an intro of sorts. You get to meet Alex and even meet an sinister guy who's kidnapped a couple of famous kids. Patterson's style is easy to read and focuses more on action than storytelling. Cross is likeable enough but it's Soneji who steals the first half of the book. You can't help but either like or hate this guy but then as the novel wears on, there's a few more layers added to the novel. What seems like a simple kidnapping becomes something else entirely. The second half slumps a bit as we detail the relationship between Cross andJezzie which sets up a series plot twist you don't see coming. That's where Patterson's strengths lie. He's an author who keeps things simple even when they aren't plausible, but it's fiction so it's perfectly fine. He's a writer who is out to entertain the reader while keeping things moving as swiftly as possible. Everything happens for a reason, or does it? In the end, Along Came A Spider is more fluff than substance and that's why his books sell so well. The chapters blend from Cross' to Soneji's seamlessly. It allows us to see things from two different perspectives. It's a tactic that works well when you're trying to build a novel that's different from everything else.
The problems begin later with Cross refusing to give up the case. The book goes from suspensful to downright slow paced as we see Jezzie and Alex grow closer together. What isn't implied is that the novel takes place over the course of two years. Had no idea and it's not mentioned until halfway through the novel. It's doesn't take away from the novel's strengths which are excellent, but it feels like Patterson is trying to find his groove with this first book. Theres nothing wrong with that, but that seond half could have been eradicated and the book would have been far better. Still, it's not terrible and it's a decent start to what would soon become Patterson's bread and butter. Cross is an interesting character who you can't help but like and while the villian in this one is a bit lackluster towards the end, he at least keeps you interested. When you read Along Came A Spider it's important to understand that you aren't reading something enlightening. This is reading for fun and we all need that. Patterson made a lot of money writing simple yet thrilling novels that are designed to be read while on a bus or on the beach. We need Alex Cross because he's a guy we can believe in. He has a backstory we can all get behind and the pacing and plot of the novel do tend to slow a bit, it's still not a terrible book. Even as I sit writing this I know I'll read the rest of the books knowing there's some great entries to the series. Spider is the beginning of Cross' journey and it shows.
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