CCBC-Net Archives
Coretta Scott King Honor Books: Francie & Black Hands, White
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Dean Schneider <schneiderd>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 15:09:45 -0600
I have to say, Black Hands, White Sails is the one book in all of the awards given that I questioned. It is certainly a handsomely produced book, and it is fascinating history, but it is poorly written. I can't agree with the reviews that called it beautifully written. It is full of "clunky" phrases, inconsistencies, repetitions, and annoying little mistakes. And structurally, too much of the story is told in the introduction rather than incorporating it into the narrative itself, because much is then repeated in the pages that follow.
This is a likeable book in many ways, but I was truly dismayed by the writing style. I felt I was reading an early draft; perhaps the book was rushed into production, because another look by copyeditors would have been nice.
Received on Mon 14 Feb 2000 03:09:45 PM CST
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 15:09:45 -0600
I have to say, Black Hands, White Sails is the one book in all of the awards given that I questioned. It is certainly a handsomely produced book, and it is fascinating history, but it is poorly written. I can't agree with the reviews that called it beautifully written. It is full of "clunky" phrases, inconsistencies, repetitions, and annoying little mistakes. And structurally, too much of the story is told in the introduction rather than incorporating it into the narrative itself, because much is then repeated in the pages that follow.
This is a likeable book in many ways, but I was truly dismayed by the writing style. I felt I was reading an early draft; perhaps the book was rushed into production, because another look by copyeditors would have been nice.
Received on Mon 14 Feb 2000 03:09:45 PM CST
