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Post by bettyboop on Jan 24, 2008 20:44:12 GMT -5
I think the thing that would lend greater literary integrity to the series would be to end it before it is stretched out too far to hold together. I realize Evanovich isn’t trying to achieve literary greatness, but I think she could hold on to more lasting popularity by not putting out weaker and weaker stuff. Remember the line in The Lord of the Rings where Bilbo says he feels like butter scraped over too much bread? That’s what always happens when a series doesn’t know when to quit.
I was very disappointed with the last couple of books. The plotlines are getting repetitive. The gags feel like they’re plagiarizing themselves, and the three main characters have been stuck too long in an emotional and moral rut that isn’t doing any service to any of them.
As much as I keep saying that Stephanie needs to grow up and do the right thing, it seems unlikely that she will. She doesn’t seem to have any strength of purpose whatsoever.
In that case, I’d say it’s time for Morelli to break up with her and get a new girlfriend. When people can’t make decisions, choices are inevitably taken out of their hands. This would put a twist to it that would give her a chance to find out whether she really wanted Ranger while at the same time getting a little payback for the way she’s treated Morelli.
Personally, I don’t see a relationship with Ranger lasting more than thirty minutes. He’s not ever going to spend his Friday nights sitting down to pot roast dinners.
I see the relationship she has with Morelli as being real, and the one she has with Ranger as being nothing more than fantasy. She can’t be in love with the real Ranger because no one actually knows who he is. She’s in love with her fantasy of someone who is larger than life. Everyone who gets put on a pedestal eventually falls off, though, and even fantasy men put their pants on one leg at a time.
I loved Ranger in the beginning of the series, and I would have probably initially picked him over Morelli. By Lean Mean Thirteen, though, he just seemed so slick he was sick. His bragging about himself was decidedly narcissistic in a way that made me think Morelli’s been right all along to say Ranger is insane. Telling Stephanie he wanted to cut in on Morelli even though he had no intention of offering her a relationship made him seem like he was just a low-class player and a snake in the grass. Given that this is the same man who blackmailed her into promising to sleep with him and then told her to go back to her boyfriend before he even got his pants zipped up, she ought to be a lot more distrustful of him than she is.
Stephanie’s dynamic with Ranger is based on both of them wanting what they can’t have. Good things don’t usually come to people who get what they ask for in those cases, but most people have to make the biggest mistakes of their lives to see them for what they are.
The irony of the triangle is that Stephanie goes nutso over every little thing that Morelli does, but she barely reacts when Ranger does the same or worse. If I were the one writing this story, and my heroine had an infamous Italian temper, I’d consider that to mean that she cares a lot more about what happens with Morelli, and everything is just playtime for her with Ranger.
At this point I respect Morelli a lot more than either Stephanie or Ranger. He may have had his day of being the badass on the block, but he has grown as a person whereas the other two have not. He doesn’t deserve to be hooked up with a woman who doesn’t know what she wants.
I’ve seen a lot of people commenting that they don’t like Morelli because he keeps telling Stephanie to get a different job. My take on that is at least he’s upfront with her. She sucks at her job. She constantly puts herself and others in danger because of it, and she causes untold property damage. Morelli seems to be the one voice of reason in her life, and he’s long since proven that he can be supportive of her even when he disagrees with her.
Ranger, on the other hand, just pays people to babysit her and to do her job for her half the time. The man spends more than she makes on cleaning up after her while she does her job. That doesn’t exactly earn her any liberated woman points. It actually gives her a lot less freedom and independence than she’d have if she found a reasonable compromise with Morelli.
Overall, it looks like she doesn’t want to grow up and isn’t ready for a healthy relationship. That’s a little sad. I really hope Evanovich lets her start learning from her mistakes soon. Perpetual screw-ups lose their charm over time.
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Post by pghfoxfan on Jan 25, 2008 17:23:42 GMT -5
Does this mean you are done being a fan of the Stephanie Plum series? Will you read 14?
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Post by bettyboop on Jan 27, 2008 11:27:32 GMT -5
I've probably read 25 or more Janet Evanovich books if you count the co-authored ones. That's a big investment in time, interest and even money. I hate to say I won't read the next one, but I'm getting close to jumping ship. I read somewhere that she had contracted up through book 16. If it keeps going after that with nothing resolved and Stephanie still acting like a twit toward both men, I'd say I would definitely quit reading the books. I doubt I'll even make it to sixteen if Stephanie behaves as badly in 14 as she did in 13.
The problem with these books is that there is an incongruity in the light-hearted tone and the actions of the lead characters. If you're writing comedy, and you don't want to drag things down by having your characters show too much self-awareness, then you shouldn't have them do anything truly reprehensible either. To have them act like jerks and take no responsibility for their own behavior means you as an author have crossed over into questionable ethics.
I read somewhere that Evanovich said Stephanie was supposed to be a kind of Everywoman. I hope not. If she really thinks being spoiled, selfish, and dishonest is what it means to be a woman, I feel sorry for her and for all of the young women out there who fantasize about role-playing Stephanie's life.
Maybe something will happen to shake up the triangle in the next book. Or maybe not. If 14 turns out to be just more cheap tricks (like sending Morelli off on a job where he can't get in Ranger's way and the author doesn't have to write both men into very many scenes) to keep a cheap storyline going, then I'll probably give up on Evanovich.
She can do so much better than this. She has done so much better than this. She's wasting herself on churning out volume rather than taking a stand for quality.
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ecmama
Lingerie buyer
Posts: 1
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Post by ecmama on Apr 3, 2008 14:05:47 GMT -5
I, as well, am not ready for the series to end. They are just too much fun for me to read! If there comes a time that I grow tired of the series and it hasn't ended, I will simply stop reading them and move on to something else that entertains me. That is why I read these books-pure entertainment. They are books, not real in any way. When I start having a problem with the way a character is written, I think it would be a good sign that I need to take a step back from it all and get a grip!
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Post by dandybrush on Apr 3, 2008 15:31:04 GMT -5
I, as well, am not ready for the series to end. They are just too much fun for me to read! If there comes a time that I grow tired of the series and it hasn't ended, I will simply stop reading them and move on to something else that entertains me. That is why I read these books-pure entertainment. They are books, not real in any way. When I start having a problem with the way a character is written, I think it would be a good sign that I need to take a step back from it all and get a grip! Im with you, its not real, I read to escape reality, and the laugh out loud factor of janets books keeps me coming back. And honestly who wouldnt mind to incredibly hot men chasing after you, i wouldnt. Janets books are fun, not serious adventures. If i was to take them seriously they wouldnt be as fun, and i prob just wouldnt read them instead of actually complaining about them.
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Post by quirkygal on Apr 3, 2008 15:47:50 GMT -5
See, I feel differently. I bought the first three Plum books on the recommendation from a sewing friend and couldn't believe what I was reading. I didn't feel that the characters were well developed, the author had a feel for where she was going, and the style was more romance novel than mystery. But I hung in there and can I say WOW! By book 5 or so it was clear that JE was on her game. The plots were developed, the characters were sussed out, and she had blended the romance into the mystery novel genere. From what I recall, the first few books had substantial gaps from book end to book beginning. The later books seem to pick up shortly were the last one left us dangling. Almost every author has some basic formula they use to craft a story. It's their template and helps them fashion their creativity into something that's saleable. Some authors, over time, develop multiple formulas and therefore the books are indeed very different. In this case JE is writing a book series with the same characters using the same template. I think this is where the feeling of plagerism as you called it comes in. As for Ranger and Joe triangle, I think in the beginning it was meant to give Stephanie more than she handle and throw her further into unexpected waters. That's what writers largely do - they create characters readers engage with and put them in over their heads to create conflict to drive the story. Now its almost consumed the series. In the first book Steph was confronted with Joe, her first everything including FTA, and this mysterious strangers who she knew little about but seemed to have an interest in mentoring her that grew into friendship. She would ultimately choose Joe because their was a history there, she and Ranger had a friendship that was a bit flirty, but Ranger was pretty clear he didn't want anything for the long haul. The guy is more than a former Army Ranger - he's the Lone Ranger. Sure he has "merry men" as Stephanie calls them but their his employees and, probably excluding Tank, not his friends. For some reason he's a loner. By the time Ranger and Stephanie hook up in the series there is more between them than just flirting or biological urges. There is a genuine friendship and a working relationship. I also think Ranger admires Steph's stick-to-it-ness. She's stuck with being a BEA even though the most unlikely things happen to her on the job. After the first book or two nobody would blame her for breaking down and getting a job at the button factory or boxing tampons. But she doesn't back down. In her heart she's still trying to be a SuperGirl, flying off her parents roof. I think Ranger identifies with that as well though I think if were sticking to superhero analogies he's more of a Batman, Dark Knight Type. He's still on the side of good but he cloaks himself in the dark to operate at the fringe of the law to help protect people. Also, I think when Ranger and Steph slept together it was more than just "payback." I got the feeling he had just been flirting with her when he made the deal and wasn't trying to extort a sexual fling from her. At the time they slept together, Stephanie was being hunted by the crazy rabbit and bear guys, her life and the lives of her family had been threatened, and she really had no where to go. By seducing her, Ranger was not only tempting what was between them but also protecting her. So long as he was with her, he knew she would be safe. He also knew that she would never go for the Ranger stake out or safe house idea. Seducing her was the option he chose. After that, things get murky. Stephanie tells us that since that night she has held back physically and Ranger has held back emotionally. Whatever happened between them was more than sex and that's why Ranger encouraged her to go back to Joe. His life isn't fit for the people he loves - he tries to maintain emotional distance with his daughter and doesn't seem to have much contact with his family in Newark. For some reason he seems compelled to isolate himself from the very people he loves and loves him. Joe is a good man, accepted by Steph's family, loves Steph, and could offer her the life she, in his mind, wants. Marriage, kids, dogs, and crazy family dinners. And I think that's what she wanted. Until Ranger. He's not just her knight in shining armor but her friend, companion, and someone she can trust. Her ex-husband was/is a man-whore, Joe had his party days and lots of women, but Ranger is straight up honest with her about their romantic and physical relationship. He also challenges her to grow and to become a better person where as Joe wants someone to be his ideal. Ranger is going with the flow and Joe wants to dam it up and control it. Ultimately I think JE is going to need to choose one or the other very soon for Steph before the story does devolve into a serious shark jumper. And I think it should be Steph's choice and not Joe's to break up with her or Ranger's to run off with her. It's her choice and her moment to come into her own. Just my two cents, (okay maybe more like seventy cents - who knew I thought this much on the topic?), Quirkygal PS - I do think its time to put the between the numbers books to rest though. They're a little out there and do nothing to really build Steph's character.
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mikkib
Rookie bounty Hunter
Posts: 55
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Post by mikkib on Apr 4, 2008 10:52:49 GMT -5
I agree with both of you. I like some of the more "deep" stuff, to think about it and maybe put more into it than it was meant for but at the same time, it's a comedy so i also forgive some of the stuff that seems well, wrong and not that thought out. Some of what the characters do don't make a lot of sense. They take some things very seriously and others not enough. But, well, it's a comedy. You can't make it fun and light and make it realistic. I like the mixture of both. I guess it's easy for me to not take some of the stuff seriously because it's obvious the writer does not. I mean, the fact that they post her senior moments, change Ranger's height and Morelli's scar around means something. I guess it's like thinking a seious movie sucks because it's stupid and thinking Space Balls is genius because it's stupid. I love the series, I am looking forward to 14 so i don't want it to end anytime soon but I am not sure how much longer this triangle can go on as is. It seems like something should happen. But then again, it seems like they should age too so maybe nothing should happen.
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Post by dandybrush on Apr 4, 2008 17:33:58 GMT -5
lol yep i hear ya. maybe it just needs a change of pace i.e. steph dumps joe and give ranger a try for a few books. that would turn the triangle around a bit, and we would then know that if when with ranger she wanted joe at all. It could be interesting that way i think.
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Post by quirkygal on Apr 4, 2008 18:33:47 GMT -5
I thought I was the only one who noticed that stuff When I see those kinds of errors in books - any book - it drives me nuts. I've also notice that one of the books refers to Stephanie's apartment as a condo and an apartment within a few pages (and does it several times), the color of her bathroom tile is always different between the volumes, her Mom's name changes from Ellen to Helen in the series, and, my personal favorite irritant, Lula was never attacked by Benito but her friend was. I was willing to overlook this and chuck it under character consolidation to move the plot along but Jackie (I think that's her name, she was Lula's corner buddy) pops in the second or third book! In the first book Lula takes pride in the fact that she's such a full figured real woman and that's why Benito would never go after her and true to form he goes after her skinny friend. I know I'm being picky but this is St. Martin's Press. Surely they must have money in the budget for decent copy editors and continuity editors? What about JE signing off on the final galleries along with the copy editors? I know, I should talk given my non-existent publishing history but still... Quirkygal who thinks that maybe a donut would help ease her troubled mind.
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Post by miabella9202 on May 5, 2008 0:33:51 GMT -5
I don't think its time for the series to go yet. The characters are developing and life is moving on. Not everyone does things at the same rate which is part of life and with the exception of cars exploding and people trying to kill you this stuff happens.
As far as the guys are concerned. I disagree that its steph's fault altogether. Joe is into the don't ask don't tell road, and Ranger "knows everything anyhow" but neither are pushing for a bigger commitment. And if it were me as Steph I don't know that I could just choose without someone pushing. It happens.
I can't wait to see where it goes.
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Post by plumtastic on Sept 15, 2010 0:23:06 GMT -5
I actually think that Stephanie is being as honest as she can be. Ranger has made it clear that his life isn't fit for a relationship. Yet he keeps coming on to Stephanie. Stephanie didn't lie to Joe. He asked if they were F'ing and she told him the truth that nothing like that happened. I think that Joe and Ranger represent two very different parts of Stephanies personalitiys. Joe is the more laid back has known her forever confortable guy and Ranger is the dangerous wants to protect her inspite of himself is willing to accept what she does for a job because it's something that she has choosen to do.
I sometimes feel like Joe wants to mold Stephaine into what he wants her to be, not what she wants to be. He doesn't want her to do her job, Yet he is allowed to be a cop because he chooses to. He talks about her being a stay at home wife and mother and hasn't once asked her if that is what she wants. Where as IMO Ranger while still worried about her, is more willing to accept Stephanies right to do what she wants. Instead of trying to harp on her because he is worried ( which in my opinion is what Joe does) Ranger trys to arm her with ways to protect herself.
I believe that both men love her, and stephanie honestly love both men. I don't see Stephanie being dishonest with anyone. They guys are two very different, but very real side of stephanie which is why she loves and is attracted to both men. Stephanie only slept with Ranger when she was Broken up with Joe. IMO she hasn't cheated on him.
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Post by joseph2852 on Nov 27, 2010 14:03:42 GMT -5
there are all types of cheating. True she did not commit the ultimate cheat, fu'ing, but she is not a good girlfriend. From the sleeping with ranger clothed and nude, the twice near cheating with ranger when she was morelli's girlfriend to all the kisses that ranger give her. Most couples would view these as over the line and cheating on their relationship.
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