memorysnow reviewed Second nature by Alice Hoffman
Review of 'Second nature' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Now that I've read a few of Alice Hoffman's novels, I am growing a bit wary of the template: melodramatic language with supernatural undertones; troubled characters who come together with spectacular co-dependence, then part with disastrous consequences; and, of course, the freak of nature type character. Don't get me wrong - Hoffman's ability to weave the reader into the environment with her nearly-tangible descriptors and details makes reading her novels an incredible experience. But these aren't novels that stick with you after you're out of the environment. None of the characters in this novel in particular has left a lasting impression, and at times while reading I questioned why I even cared about them. They were written realistically enough, and well enough, but they were not interesting enough to really become invested in them. Even the main male character was not particularly interesting, although the way she wrote about his …
Now that I've read a few of Alice Hoffman's novels, I am growing a bit wary of the template: melodramatic language with supernatural undertones; troubled characters who come together with spectacular co-dependence, then part with disastrous consequences; and, of course, the freak of nature type character. Don't get me wrong - Hoffman's ability to weave the reader into the environment with her nearly-tangible descriptors and details makes reading her novels an incredible experience. But these aren't novels that stick with you after you're out of the environment. None of the characters in this novel in particular has left a lasting impression, and at times while reading I questioned why I even cared about them. They were written realistically enough, and well enough, but they were not interesting enough to really become invested in them. Even the main male character was not particularly interesting, although the way she wrote about his time living with the wolves was the most outstanding thing about this book. I like Alice Hoffman and I like this book, but I think I'm going to have to take a break from her for a while so that the next time I pick up one of her books, it won't feel so boilerplate.