James Collins: "Beginner's Greek"

Sometimes I receive unsolicited review copies of books from publishers. A few weeks ago, I got one in the mail called Beginner's Greek, by James Collins - I must be on Little, Brown's mailing list. I glanced at it and thought it looked interesting, but then put it away and didn't think about it until I saw a short review of it in yesterday's New York Times. Here's what it says:

James Collins’s chick lit-esque first novel takes its title from a James Merrill poem about those who fear to feel intensely (“What is/Beyond analysis/Is perilous”). Mr. Collins’s protagonist, Peter Russell, a good-looking young banker, feels but has trouble acting. When he meets Holly, the love of his life, on a plane trip from New York to Los Angeles, he gets — and loses — her number. And when she turns up, years later, as the girlfriend, then wife, of his less-than-faithful best friend, he doesn’t let on that his passion for her is as strong as ever. Many coincidences later he ... well, you know what happens.

Here is an interview with the author at the Literature Chick blog, which calls it "a kind of Greek comedy with a bit of tragedy thrown in [that] showcases the talent of a honest, sardonic writer who delivers a truly rewarding, entertaining read."

This book may be a little lightweight, but it still sounds kind of good. I will add it to the pile.

Comments

[Kristen]

I'm jealous! I want to read this book...I loved the NYT review! It made the book sound so charming.

[Daniel Martin]

I just finished reading the book and it was GREAT! At first, I was a little put off by the fact that it was in the category "romance" and almost didn't buy it, but there were a few extracts on the website (I bought an ereader version) and the writing looked very lively and humoristic in a light kind of way so I thought, "what the heck" and downloaded it on my PALM.
I'm forced to admit I wonder if what makes this book good isn't the definitively masculine approach to romance. And I don mean "let's have a beer and watch chicks fight in jello" kind of masculine point of view. Because some of us CAN be sensitive and, well, drawn to love and romance.
I don't want to go on and on, but if this book could seduce me, it is a REAL good book. It proves that whatever the subject or genre, good writing is good writing.