Book note: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

[rsadelle]

I read this because I saw a few people say they liked it, and then it was at the library. Someday I will remember that one of those people and I like entirely different kinds of queer stories and I won't like the things they do. I'm not sure I would say I hated this book - the concept of an outrageous adventure novel isn't bad, and it had a few moments that made me laugh - but I certainly didn't like it. I found Monty, the protagonist, kind of insufferable, and although he has a character growth arc and an explanatory backstory, I never really warmed to him. It also suffered as a book in comparison to the last book I read, which was a historically-set novel that was incredibly vivid and felt solidly grounded in time and place. This one felt like a very modern-conceived story that was set in a handwavey old-timey setting without feeling like it really belonged there. And I guess there's nothing really wrong with writing that kind of story, but it just didn't work for me. I never quite believed the story, and I spent a lot of it rolling my eyes and saying, "Ugh," at Monty.

Comments

[secretsolitaire]

As one of the folks who enjoyed the book, I can still identify with your Monty dislike -- he was definitely a brat in the beginning. I warmed up to him more than you did, but I can see why he wouldn't be your cup of tea.

And you're totally right about the historical setting, haha. I kind of read it as a fantasy novel of sorts. :D

[rsadelle]

Yeah, I can see how people would have liked him more than I did, and it just didn't work for me.

Ha! I had some of that thought too, particularly with the science of it all.