Gables Court

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Ugh. Just...ugh. Why? Why would anyone bother publishing this?

I like liking things. I want to enjoy books. But every now and then, too often lately, I come across a book that I can't find a redeeming feature in. This is one of those.

It is impossible, simply impossible, for someone to get through Law School (and the requisite undergrad program) and come out as naive as Samuel Baas. I would think that'd be particularly true in the 1960's. If, if Baas had been sheltered his entire life and escaped/was released at age 24, many of his conversations would have been appropriate. But for someone with his education? Nope. Conversations at any age, on personal or professional topics.

I use the word “conversation” loosely – primarily, his conversations are monologues with a little bit of interaction between those involved tagged on.

There are several attempts at plot lines, but Kessler doesn't seem to commit to them wholly – or for long. The novel seems listless, bouncing around from idea to idea, trying out this thing and then another and another – like a college freshman deciding on a major. I'm not suggesting any of these ideas were interesting or well-executed, but there were a lot of them.

There's no ending to this book, it just stops. Baas has learned nothing – any epiphanies he's had or changes he's made evaporate faster than dew in the desert. To say I was frustrated by the ending is an understatement.

There's part of me that wants to go on and pick this apart – but why? No one wants to read that – maybe if I was more annoyed by it and mustered up some funny comments, but I just don't care enough to. This book induced apathy and a general sense of ennui. Gables Court was aimless, listlessly written, dull and an utter waste of time.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author, clearly my opinion wasn't influenced by that.