Lynn O'Connell's Comments
May 23, 2007 | comments: 3
Lynn O'Connell Jun 6, 2007, 6:31pm EDT
I thought the sense of atmosphere was key to the book. I felt a clear difference among the locations and thought they added layers to the plot and character interactions.
May 29, 2007 | comments: 5
Lynn O'Connell Jun 6, 2007, 6:25pm EDT
I wonder if discussion topics might stimulate conversation in this group.
May 21, 2007 | comments: 5
Lynn O'Connell May 26, 2007, 9:27pm EDT
I enjoyed this book and found it thought-provoking (but I liked Blood of Paradise, too -- not perfect, but well worth reading. Sorry Elizabeth V!). These are not books I normally would have been drawn to, but I was lucky enough to win a free copies and am very glad I did. I think both of the books have been interesting blends of mystery/intrigue/flawed characters set in turbulent times. To me, the sense of atmosphere in both books and the ways the characters actions were so bound up with the events around them was very effective. In The Accidental American I found the central character's choices unbelievable at several key points, which was a significant flaw. Despite that, I found the plot compelling and read it in one sitting. I think I'll hold off discussing the character issues that bothered me until after more people have read the book... wouldn't want to give key plot points away!
May 22, 2007 | comments: 7
Lynn O'Connell May 26, 2007, 9:15pm EDT
The book is well worth reading. Although he is not a central character, the different plot lines are woven together well and all come together in time.
May 22, 2007 | comments: 93
Lynn O'Connell May 26, 2007, 1:03pm EDT
Congrats to everyone - the finalists and everyone who entered. I hope Gather does more of these contests... I didn't start voting on this one until the final round, but I thought it was interesting.
May 24, 2007 | comments: 5
Lynn O'Connell May 26, 2007, 11:50am EDT
It all comes down to money. We (the people) need to demand true campaign finance reform or the politicians will continue to spend most of their time raising funds and giving preferred access to donors. I'm not sure exactly what the answer is - much much lower caps on contributions, reduced rates or even free time on broadcast tv (being as we do give the networks on the airwaves), and some realistic public funding plan. Of course, that's not going to happen unless people demand it -- so the best thing we can do is support candidates with small dollar donations. No one is beholden to someone who gave them $100... and online, it is absolutely feasible to raise huge money through lots of small contributions. In other words, since money appears to be buying our democracy, we need to pool our funds and buy it back.
May 25, 2007 | comments: 26
Lynn O'Connell May 26, 2007, 11:24am EDT
DC metro area has been hit pretty hard. I'm in an area that only dropped about 5% in price from last year, but it took our neighbors nine months to sell their home. As you go further out from DC the price drops go way up to as much as 25%. Condos have been hurt the most. Given the size of the bubble, though, I think it has been a pretty soft landing compared to the real estate recession we saw here in the early nineties. (Of course, that assumes we're at the bottom...) Real estate always seems to cycle up and down, so the biggest problem is really for people who have no choice but to sell.
May 2, 2007 | comments: 5
Lynn O'Connell May 12, 2007, 9:16pm EDT
Question 1: Well, I think my first reaction to El Salvador as the setting was to add it to my mental list of countries to stay away from. I don't say that flipply -- there was little about El Salvador that was appealing in this novel.

From a political point of view, I think I will pay more attention to news about El Salvador. I was already aware of the bigger problems he addresses in his afterward, but did not know as much about the specifics in this particular country.

Question 2: I don't think a thriller has to be international. The world is getting smaller and it makes perfect sense that their are more books set in other countries. However, to me, the characters and plot are the key.

Question 3: The book that comes to mind is Song of Kali by Dan Simmons. It is probably more horror than thriller. I use it here because the location is so strong and powerfully woven into the story.

Question 4: Maybe New Zealand...
May 3, 2007 | comments: 1
Lynn O'Connell May 12, 2007, 9:01pm EDT
Given the set-up, his issues with his Dad, and his previous relationship to his Dad's friends, I think falling for the initial setup is understandable. (Not wise, but believable.) But, once he knew he'd been had, I thought his actions became much harder to justify. Personally, I would have been suspicious of Consuela, too -- although she turned out to be who she said she was, she did turn up in an odd way at a strange time. No way I could have seen moving to her house. But, that's my take after reflecting on the story. I thought it was compelling and kept me reading, and there are always some things that no sane person would do in these thriller mysteries. (Sort of like horror movies where the people always split up just in time to be killed.)
May 4, 2007 | comments: 8
Lynn O'Connell May 12, 2007, 8:54pm EDT
I think Eileen is an effective character, although not fully fleshed out. Her perspective moves the plot along and her relationship with Jude adds dimension to his character. She didn't bother me, and I didn't feel that too much telling was going on -- it was a complicated enough situation that there needed to be some explanations. That said, I think we never learned enough about her to make sense of what she was doing and why. We got the backstories on the men, but just some sketchy details for her.
Jul 28, 2006 | comments: 8
Lynn O'Connell Jul 28, 2006, 1:12pm EDT
Certainly matches what I hear people saying!!
 
Lynn O'Connell
Alexandria, VA
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