The Melting Season

I was going through some old books to get rid of them, and found this and realized I never reviewed it. I am depending on my memory from about 5 years ago. I really did not like this book. It lured me in with a well written if rambling first chapter or two, and then it sunk down into disingenuous and boring droning. I am more likely to abandon a book now than I was then so I did finish. I expect if I picked it up today I would abandon it before I hit halfway. There are only two things I remember clearly about this one. The first is that Attenberg was writing about people she did not know at all -- not one character rang true. The second is that she is obsessed with small dicks, which is fine, but not much to hang a story on (no pun show more intended.) show less

Disappointing. I've read and really liked three of Attenberg's novels and one nonfiction work of hers, but this one did absolutely nothing for me. I thought it might have been her debut novel, but it looks like it was her third (I haven't yet read the first two). The characters and motivations didn't ring true for me, and I found the whole thing a bit of a slog.

If you're thinking of trying Attenberg (she has a new one coming out tomorrow!), please don't start here.

2.5 stars

I found The Melting Season to be a thrilling novel with a spiritual ending that was beyond satisfying. I love Jami Attenberg’s writing and she didn’t disappoint with this book. I’ve come to expect abrupt endings to her books and was pleasantly surprised how this story built up to a grand finale. The mystery as to why the narrator Catherine has left her husband and carries $178,000 in cash is beautifully told.

The Melting Season explores the journey and self-awakening of a small town woman as she travels into the brightly lit, big dreaming Las Vegas. By phone, author Jami Attenberg told me that she wanted to take a woman with a “small world view and expand that into a bigger world view.” Attenberg created the compelling and layered character of 25-year-old Catherine Madison, on the run from her cheating husband with a suitcase of money and overloaded by secrets. She wanted to write an “accessible character to broaden her audience,” the Brooklyn resident explained. Once in Vegas, Catherine meets the mysterious Valka and despite their different backgrounds and life experiences, the two women instantly connect. The establishment of the show more women’s bond combined with the unraveling of Catherine’s story makes The Melting Season an engulfing read. show less

I really enjoyed this book. I felt for the main character and her struggles as she tried to figure out the next steps in her life. Highly recommend.

Kirkus says "Iintellilgenlt, moving portrait of a journey to self-awareness, with meaty characters and a refreshing absence of psychobabble."

Kirkus says "Iintellilgenlt, moving portrait of a journey to self-awareness, with meaty characters and a refreshing absence of psychobabble."