Posted in 52 Books in 52 Weeks 2009

Since I really enjoyed reading Love Story, I decided to get out a few more books by Erich Segal and happened to notice that there is a sequel called Oliver's Story.  Like many sequels, it is not as good as the original.  The book starts nearly two years after Jenny's death and shows how Oliver is getting over (or not getting over) her death.  It is not written with the same sparing style that I enjoyed so much in the first book.  Oliver buries himself with work and stays away from his friends, who push him to start dating again.  He resists until he meets Marcie.  Things seem to be going all right, but Oliver finds he can't commit. Throughout it all, he is discussing what's happening with a psychiatrist.

I felt that the relationship with Marcie went on too long.  The first book is 130 pages, and this book is 180, and it's not telling a better story that needs another 50 pages.  Also, the first book left me with the impression that Jenny's death had been worth it because it would lead to a better relationship between Oliver and his father, which is something she really wanted, but until the last four pages of the book, it is exactly the same as it had been. However, I did find the cause of Oliver's guilt about Jenny's short life interesting, and I felt it could have been explored more.

While the first book had some, this book went over the line in how much vulgarity I appreciate.  I find myself wanting to do the same thing I wanted to do with the second Bridget Jones book: get out my red pen and edit it!  It could have been so much better.