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The Fifth Harmonic - Susan - 03-15-2004
fpw Wrote:I'm not. The lesson is clear: don't deviate from formula.
FPW
Oh no, don't say that, Paul!! I would hate for you not to write excellent books because publishers are small-minded.
I suppose that's why some authors write under different names. I would much rather see you do that than not publish books like The Fifth Harmonic.
My hope is that the RJ film will become a big blockbuster hit and fans will seek out ALL your books.
Susan
The Fifth Harmonic - Scott Hajek - 03-15-2004
fpw Wrote:I'm not. The lesson is clear: don't deviate from formula.
FPW
And, hence, we have the Grishams, Steels, Pattersons of the world. If it sells well, keep putting out the same predictable stuff.
However, there is always that single book that an author feels compelled to write, and while not a financial success, it has the potential for being a classic sometime down the road.
I loved T5H. And, I do hope that it will be recognized as a classic one day. Until then, we all need to spread the word about it.
The Fifth Harmonic - jpwynn - 03-17-2004
I too loved the book, but I was really confused.
Have you read the book flap? Based on the flap I expected Will to be double-crossed and find out that Maya was truly evil (or something like that). Imagine my surprise when I was getting towards the end of the book and realized that the flap was completely misleading.
"He begins to think he may have made a terrible mistake" (or something like that). But he STOPS thinking that a third of the way through the book.
The Fifth Harmonic - Biggles - 03-18-2004
fpw Wrote:I'm not. The lesson is clear: don't deviate from formula.
FPW
I'm only a few chapters along in reading it, but so far it has really touched me. I can relate completely to Will's dilemma. When is "life" not worth living? Whether you write this kind of book under your own name or as "Colin Andrews" or whomever, it needs to be written. Who better to write it than someone who knows what people in such a predicament are facing? You deal with patients and can describe their experiences more convincingly than an author without your background.
Maybe part of T5H's problem is that the RJ books are so successful? If the success of one genre or character overshadows your other work, I can understand being frustrated, but the work is valuable in its own right. Keep it up!
The Fifth Harmonic - Lisa - 03-18-2004
jpwynn Wrote:Have you read the book flap? Based on the flap I expected Will to be double-crossed and find out that Maya was truly evil (or something like that). Imagine my surprise when I was getting towards the end of the book and realized that the flap was completely misleading.
You know, you're right, Jason. I hadn't read the flap before now, but it IS misleading. Who writes those things anyway?
Lisa
The Fifth Harmonic - Tim Hatch - 03-18-2004
fpw Wrote:I'm not. The lesson is clear: don't deviate from formula.
FPW
This relates to the chain bookstore VS. the independent bookstore problem. Independents usually have staffs that are heavy readers and can turn an unknown book into something big by recommendation (eg. Cold Mountain). Unfortunately, they are all going out of business due to the B & N and Borders stores popping up everywhere.
Chains rely on previous sales only (the sure thing), while an independent used to take chances on different types of books and authors. The mainstream book-buying public isn't exposed to "different" types of fiction like T5H.
I loved T5H, and was saddened to see ONE copy at my local Borders, and ZERO copies at B & N. But I recommend it to everyone I know well.
The Fifth Harmonic - fpw - 03-18-2004
Lisa Wrote:You know, you're right, Jason. I hadn't read the flap before now, but it IS misleading. Who writes those things anyway?
Ahem. I wrote it, and it's not the least bit misleading.
"Maya too has her secrets, and as Will unravels them, he begins to fear he might have made a terrible mistake."
What's misleading about that? It's exactly what happens. It's those very fears that lead to the blowout between them.
FPW
(some of the messages in this thread should have had spoiler warnings)
The Fifth Harmonic - Dave - 03-18-2004
I may be a bit naive, but I put it down to the length of the book and the fact it was a hardback at the price it was.
As good as it was (and I do think it is one of Paul's best books), I can't see people who don't know Paul's work spending that much on a short book they know nothing about.
I'm keen to see how it performs as a paperback, where more risks are taken by Joe Public and word of mouth can influence sales to a greater extent.
Dave
The Fifth Harmonic - Lisa - 03-18-2004
Umm, possible spoilers. Beware!
fpw Wrote:[SIZE=3]Ahem. I wrote it, and it's not the least bit misleading.
Oops. Heh.
Quote:"Maya too has her secrets, and as Will unravels them, he begins to fear he might have made a terrible mistake."
What's misleading about that? It's exactly what happens. It's those very fears that lead to the blowout between them.
I think it's misleading because it makes it sound like there's some big conspiracy going on (bigger than just a shyster after Will's money), when really it's just Will having doubts. Maybe I've read too many RJ books. It's YOUR fault, F!
Lisa
The Fifth Harmonic - Marc - 03-18-2004
Change of topic a bit (and I apologize if I brought this up on the old forum or at the GU but I just can't remember), but has anyone noticed the similarities between T5H and The Celestine Prophecy? Both books have a character dying of some medical illness and discovering levels of awareness. As interesting a book TCP is the author is pretty bad when it comes to actually writing (okay... he stinks) but it kept creeping into the back of my mind while reading T5H. Has anyone else read TCP? And if so is there a similarity or am I just losing my mind?