Have you seen The Great American Read on PBS? Meredith Viera hosts this series of specials to uncover America’s 100 best loved books. The objective is to find the #1 most beloved book of the American people. Viewers vote for their favorites - everything from Don Quixote to Harry Potter to The Great Gatsby. And yes, Fifty Shades of Gray. Perusing the list, I came across Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo. Being retired (hooray), I decided to read this classic.
OMG- talk about a braided narrative – this could be an entire Persian rug! It’s 1425 pages of so many characters with French names, first and surnames, along with titles that change throughout the story and filled with twists and turns. Would this manuscript get published today? Probably not – at least not in this version.
But, it gives me confidence that my Bitter Sugar (braided narrative Baton Rouge sugar plantation circa 1860) at 354 pages, at least has a chance. Not that I am comparing myself to Dumas – no, never. He’s in a class of his own. Rather, I am honored to be in his company – in my own mind, at least, if not on the NY Times Best Seller List...yet.
OMG- talk about a braided narrative – this could be an entire Persian rug! It’s 1425 pages of so many characters with French names, first and surnames, along with titles that change throughout the story and filled with twists and turns. Would this manuscript get published today? Probably not – at least not in this version.
But, it gives me confidence that my Bitter Sugar (braided narrative Baton Rouge sugar plantation circa 1860) at 354 pages, at least has a chance. Not that I am comparing myself to Dumas – no, never. He’s in a class of his own. Rather, I am honored to be in his company – in my own mind, at least, if not on the NY Times Best Seller List...yet.
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