Blame me. I’ve tried reading Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s “Retrieval Artist” series and abandoned it. Now, I slogged my way through Rusch’s Diving Into the Wreck and I’m not going to be reading any more books in this series either. Something about Rusch’s style just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it’s characters with the names Squishy and Turtle. Maybe it’s the love-hate relationship between the narrator and her father. Maybe I wasn’t convinced by Rusch’s descriptions of diving into space wrecks. When I was a kid, I remember loving a Frank Crisp adventure novel called The Java Wreckmen about divers finding treasure in sunken ships. Very memorable after 50 years! But nothing much about Diving Into the Wreck is going to stay with me. For a different take, check out Bill Crider’s review of Diving Into the Wreck here. GRADE: C
Sorry to see I misled you on this one.
DIVING INTO THE WRECK has all the elements I enjoy, Bill. Mystery, suspense, quirky characters. But, for some reason, Rusch’s work just doesn’t connect with me.
Too bad. I was hopeful after Bill’s review. I’ll probably try it for myself.
I like her short stories in AHMM set behind the scenes at mystery or sf conventions, a milieu she obviously knows well.
I think Rusch is more effective in her shorter work, Jeff. I’ll be interested in your reaction to DIVING INTO THE WRECK.
I slogged through the first section and then gave up. First person present tense is not a writing style I enjoy, neither is short two or three page chapters.
I have to hand it to you George – at least you finished it.
I had a similar reaction to DIVING INTO THE WRECK that you had, Stan. But I managed to push through to the end.
I both agree and strongly disagree, this time, George.
I like the Retrival Artist books a lot, have read the first 3 and have the rest awaiting. I think they are a nice mix of mystery and SF and like Rusch’s writing. So, DISAGREE.
But that didn’t matter when I started this one. Like Stan, first person present tense is not a writing style I enjoy, nor the short chapters. I gave up on this one after about 30 pages, perhaps less. So, AGREE. I have also read a few of her short stories and liked them. In the final assessment, I’d say I like Rusch as an author, just not in FRPT style.
I struggled with both the Retrival Artist books and DIVING INTO THE WRECK, Rick. I should like these books because the elements I’m looking for–mystery, suspense, sense of wonder–are in both of Rusch’s series. But there’s something about Rusch’s style that puts me off. I wish I could put my finger on it.
Man, you guys aren’t inspiring much hope for me. This is on it’s way to the house and now it seems i might not enjoy it. I’m not that familiar with Rusch’s work, so I await it’s arrival with a bit of dread.
Bill Crider liked DIVING INTO THE WRECK, Randy. So there’s hope…
If you can get past the first person present tense, Randy, you’ll be okay. Wish I’d known, though, I’d have sent you my copy, gratis.
Me, too, Randy.
In both editing and writing, I find her work and taste leans toward the cute and overfamiliar. Hence she’s been my least favorite F&SF editor despite running a lot of horror compared to some (not a bad thing at all by me), and I only rarely genuinely enjoy her fiction.
You and I are on the same page, Todd.