Official Review: Annie Russo by J. L. Baumann
Posted: 17 Aug 2015, 17:17
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Annie Russo" by J. L. Baumann.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Annie Russo: Tenacity Born is a historical novel by J. L. Baumann.
Raised in the suburbs of northeast America, Eugene Kavanagh and Annie Russo have always had comfortable lifestyles. Like everyone else, they also have their fair share of obstacles to overcome. The two meet at a state college close to their childhood homes. Though they are from similar worlds, their paths to university are incredibly different. Serving as the backdrop to this coming-of-age tale is the Vietnam War. During this tumultuous time, Eugene and Annie navigate the waters of friendship, young love, and the ever-looming future.
This book can best be described as retrospective, anti-war propaganda. It starts on the day JFK was shot. As the story goes on, the author highlights the consequences of the Vietnam War, such as the Kent State massacre, social programs for the poor, and the high tension between Americans and the government. The historical explanations and political commentary are often asides to the plot.
A complex use of language is often employed. Sometimes the sentences are wordy or run on: “The magnitude of her considerable desires and ambitions evoked a constitutional vigor within her that engendered a vivacious quality about her that was beguiling to almost everyone the older she had become.” Even so, the book is vividly written, with great lines like “she focused her entire persona down upon him to the exclusion of all else.” The characters’ interactions are quite splendid. The dialogue is believable and everyday situations, like playing poker or eating at a diner, are realistically portrayed.
Eugene becomes a typical frat boy; but he’s also intelligent and forms his own opinions. Most of the female characters use their sexuality to get what they want. They play mind games to control the men in their lives and the male characters do their best to play along. The various relationships are gradual and absorbing. The greatest character development belongs to Annie. As she grows older, she figures out her philosophy on life and grows independent. The astounding development of her character is the best part of the novel.
The structure of the book is quite an oddity. The story begins with the first-person narration of a boy who watches Eugene through a window. Strangely, this narrator dissolves and never reappears. Then the point of view switches to third person omniscient. It takes several chapters before the true narrative finally begins. After Eugene and Annie meet in college, the story goes into flashback mode to explore Annie’s past. This takes up the vast majority of the book. Thus, Eugene is only present in the first and last few chapters. By the time Eugene reemerges, the reader is likely to have forgotten all about him.
Much of the background information is irrelevant and unmemorable. This is especially true for minor characters. The reader is informed how long Katie's family has lived in Lenape, when her ancestors immigrated to America, what her great-grandfather did for a living, and so on. Instead of being woven into the story, these drawn-out details are abrupt and disengaging. The excessive descriptions prove to be the worst aspect of the book.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I was prepared to give this book 3 stars, but my negative criticisms outweigh the good. The plot is quite enjoyable, and most of the characters are rather intriguing. At an estimated 379 pages on Kindle, this book would benefit from removing the excess. Because of my initial confusion and the numerous narrative disruptions, I found myself wanting less.
If the issues I’ve mentioned would take away from your enjoyment of the story, then stay away. This book would most appeal to history buffs who also like coming-of-age romances.
******
Annie Russo
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Tanaya's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Annie Russo: Tenacity Born is a historical novel by J. L. Baumann.
Raised in the suburbs of northeast America, Eugene Kavanagh and Annie Russo have always had comfortable lifestyles. Like everyone else, they also have their fair share of obstacles to overcome. The two meet at a state college close to their childhood homes. Though they are from similar worlds, their paths to university are incredibly different. Serving as the backdrop to this coming-of-age tale is the Vietnam War. During this tumultuous time, Eugene and Annie navigate the waters of friendship, young love, and the ever-looming future.
This book can best be described as retrospective, anti-war propaganda. It starts on the day JFK was shot. As the story goes on, the author highlights the consequences of the Vietnam War, such as the Kent State massacre, social programs for the poor, and the high tension between Americans and the government. The historical explanations and political commentary are often asides to the plot.
A complex use of language is often employed. Sometimes the sentences are wordy or run on: “The magnitude of her considerable desires and ambitions evoked a constitutional vigor within her that engendered a vivacious quality about her that was beguiling to almost everyone the older she had become.” Even so, the book is vividly written, with great lines like “she focused her entire persona down upon him to the exclusion of all else.” The characters’ interactions are quite splendid. The dialogue is believable and everyday situations, like playing poker or eating at a diner, are realistically portrayed.
Eugene becomes a typical frat boy; but he’s also intelligent and forms his own opinions. Most of the female characters use their sexuality to get what they want. They play mind games to control the men in their lives and the male characters do their best to play along. The various relationships are gradual and absorbing. The greatest character development belongs to Annie. As she grows older, she figures out her philosophy on life and grows independent. The astounding development of her character is the best part of the novel.
The structure of the book is quite an oddity. The story begins with the first-person narration of a boy who watches Eugene through a window. Strangely, this narrator dissolves and never reappears. Then the point of view switches to third person omniscient. It takes several chapters before the true narrative finally begins. After Eugene and Annie meet in college, the story goes into flashback mode to explore Annie’s past. This takes up the vast majority of the book. Thus, Eugene is only present in the first and last few chapters. By the time Eugene reemerges, the reader is likely to have forgotten all about him.
Much of the background information is irrelevant and unmemorable. This is especially true for minor characters. The reader is informed how long Katie's family has lived in Lenape, when her ancestors immigrated to America, what her great-grandfather did for a living, and so on. Instead of being woven into the story, these drawn-out details are abrupt and disengaging. The excessive descriptions prove to be the worst aspect of the book.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I was prepared to give this book 3 stars, but my negative criticisms outweigh the good. The plot is quite enjoyable, and most of the characters are rather intriguing. At an estimated 379 pages on Kindle, this book would benefit from removing the excess. Because of my initial confusion and the numerous narrative disruptions, I found myself wanting less.
If the issues I’ve mentioned would take away from your enjoyment of the story, then stay away. This book would most appeal to history buffs who also like coming-of-age romances.
******
Annie Russo
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Tanaya's review? Post a comment saying so!
