What's the book about?

The Photographer is a novel by Mary Dixie Carter that follows the story of a woman who returns to her hometown and becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a local photographer.

Is the book a classic?

While the book has some classic elements, it's not necessarily a traditional classic in the sense that it's not a timeless tale that will be remembered for generations. However, it's still a well-written and engaging story that's worth reading.

Is the author an import author?

Yes, Mary Dixie Carter is an import author, which means she's not a well-known author in the US. However, she's still a talented writer who's worth checking out.

Where can I buy the book?

You can buy The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter at most major bookstores, including O'Keeffe supermarkets.

Is the book worth the money?

While the book may not be the most expensive one out there, it's still a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a engaging beach read.

Can I return the book if I don't like it?

Yes, most bookstores will allow you to return the book if you don't like it. Just make sure to check their return policy before making a purchase.

How long does the book take to read?

The book is a relatively quick read, taking most people around 2-3 days to finish.

Is the book suitable for all ages?

While the book is generally suitable for all ages, it may not be the best choice for younger readers due to some mature themes and language.

Can I read the book online?

Unfortunately, The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter is not available to read online. However, you can purchase a physical copy or an e-book version from most major bookstores.

The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter: A Beach Read Worth Reading

A Reality Check on Beach Reads

I had a terrible time finding decent books for my last beach vacation. Everything I picked up for some relaxing reading on the beach or on the plane ride over ended up being total trash and a snooze fest.

I get it, I'm the one who messed up by picking something random. But all the books I got had this big label on them:

--- Classic.

I guess that's a pretty subjective term.

Against that backdrop, my wife brought back just one book. Compared to the complete disappointment I got from the others, it was at least readable. So, let's talk about that book.

So, here's the book. It's 'The Photographer' by Mary Dixie Carter, an import author.

A book from an import author.Where I Bought It and How Much It Cost

The weird thing is, I bought this book at the same place where I got my disappointing classics. It was on some discounted sale at an O'Keeffe supermarket. We went there to grab some groceries and snacks, and I ended up snagging some discounted books in the relevant section.

To be honest, I probably wouldn't have even looked at this book on my own. Mainly because the theme, a psychological thriller, just isn't my thing. Whenever I hear the word 'psychology', I think of some chubby woman asking me for money in exchange for telling her what I want from life:

--- What do you want from life?

Like, who knows the answer to that anyway?

My wife must have been drawn in by the 'Detective' label on top, though.

On the other hand, what do I care? I ended up buying all three books that day anyway...

It's not too thick.About the price.

It's no secret that printed books are getting more expensive over time. So, at this point, $360 for a book that's probably not great quality and has a thin cover doesn't seem too bad to me.

What this book is about...Physical Parameters of the Edition

I'm talking about the physical stuff you can touch. The height, weight, and size.

This book is in a small format, which is exactly what I was looking for. Since it's meant for beach reading, it should be small enough to fit in a backpack and not weigh too much in your luggage.

It looks like 'The Photographer' meets all those requirements. It's small, thin, and has 350 standard pages. The paper is plain, not bleached, but not newspaper quality either. It's a bit thicker, has a rough texture, and a yellowish color, but it's cheap.

There are 350 pages in the book.I've got to say, the cover is pretty thin – not cardboard, but it's got a bit of a glossy finish and some design on the front. What's weird is the black background, which doesn't quite fit with the cover's style. But hey, it's definitely eye-catching on the shelves.

The marketing team must have done a great job, because it's clear that this isn't just any ordinary book – it's a detective novel, or so the cover suggests.

--- I'm not entirely sure what the publisher meant by that, but it's definitely catchy.

The real kicker is the font. It's just right – not too big, not too small, but perfect for reading without straining your eyes.

The font is so good that I could read it while lying down, sitting up, or even upside down – okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea.

Now, about the publisher. I'm just going to call it out – it's Moscow's AST Publishing House, which is responsible for putting out most of the books you'll find in stores.

AST Publishing HouseOn Its Literary Value

Let's talk about the writing style. After getting tired of reading classic literature, this book was a breath of fresh air. The text flows smoothly, with a conversational tone that's easy to follow – and the psychological nuances are spot on, even for a schoolkid.

--- It's possible that this is a translation, or that the author is just naturally gifted. Either way, it's a win for the reader.

The book is so easy to read that I finished it in just two days – with breaks, of course.

So, yes, the book is definitely readable.

Now, the other thing that struck me – or rather, didn't strike me – was the complete lack of sense in the plot.

First of all, the book is marketed as a detective novel, but it's anything but. There are some minor plot twists and some intrigue, but it's all fairly straightforward.

No one gets killed, no one gets arrested – and the only real plot point is the main character's psychology.

And what a psychology it is – purely female, completely irrational, and utterly nonsensical. The main character's actions are driven by her emotions and whims, with no regard for logic or reason.

The plot is pretty much a cliché – a woman who's jealous of someone else's success and tries to sabotage it in every way possible.

I've gotta say, the main character's actions are all about instinct, not reason. No brain, no sense, just a goal and a path. Like a samurai, you know? And on that path, you can do whatever it takes, as long as you don't get caught. I mean, the bad stuff.

So, the whole book is basically just jealousy of people who are more successful and happy. So, you make them miserable and rejoice. It's all just a bunch of nonsense, schemes, and intrigue. Typical chick lit, if you ask me.

Back cover.Now, let's get to the good stuff. Quotes to prove my point.

So, I'm convinced that women, or rather, the fairer sex, have some kind of messed-up and inflated sense of self-importance. I'm pretty sure the main character in this book isn't the only one. Every other woman thinks she's the most charming and attractive, right?

I'm gonna prove it with a quote:

Objectively, I was more attractive than Amelia: bigger breasts, a thinner waist, fewer wrinkles on my face. And I was younger – at least ten years younger.

Haha! What a ridiculous thing to say! Beauty is totally subjective. And when you tell your husband that you're more attractive than his wife, it might just be a load of nonsense.

When I tell my wife that she's the most beautiful, it's true – for me, at least. But when some girl says she's beautiful, it's a whole different story. You know, never say you're the best. Someone's gonna come along and be even better.

A brief summary of the plot.The second interesting point is my favorite topic: guilt trips. Not the kind where you feel bad for your sins, but the kind where you're trying to guilt trip someone into doing something.

So, there's this quote:

The long, smooth aftertaste of the 2002 pino noir was completely unlike the malbec I'd had the night before.

Wow, Miss Obvious, you think so, huh?

Now, the idea that what you drink says something about your status and personality is kinda true, but it's also kinda like the 'from rags to riches' thing.

Over the past few months, I've developed a strong aversion to bad wine, as if the price of the bottle determined which social class I belonged to.

Yeah, that's possible, but not that extreme. I mean, I can drink Crimean wine, but I prefer California. Not that I'm talking about the place, just the wine.

It's interesting to compare women to cats.

It seemed like the cat had thought it over and decided it was in her best interest to remain obedient and submissive – to give love, whether genuine or not.

She was a mercenary creature, willing to give her emotions to whoever paid the most. She was willing to be the kind of cat I wanted her to be, if it meant she could keep her status, her life wouldn't be threatened, and she'd have a roof over her head.

That's the essence of femininity and feline nature... Yeah, I call my wife 'cat' all the time, too. Been doing it for ages.

Three sheets of gratitude.Now, let's talk about the author. It's clear that this is a women's novel, written by a woman, about women's psychology, for women, and about women. But what the author says about herself in the final part of the book is:

--- Three sheets of gratitude.

To everyone and everything. The author listed everyone she knew. Of course, the first ones are the publishers and editors.

--- That's what it means to kiss up to success.

Clean and smooth. I remember Tolstoy never bowed to anyone... except his wife, whom he feared like fire. But that's a sacred thing.

Photographic composition with the book.Moving on to the Conclusions

I'm not sure how others would see it, but personally, I took the following conclusions from the book in the theme of a psychological thriller (with a huge question mark). The only things I got from the book are that sometimes women, regardless of whether they're blondes or brunettes, lack logic, and the means to achieve their goals are not rational. What's most important is to suffer. It doesn't matter why.

In short:

--- Mindless cats living by their emotions...

That's what I concluded from the book, based solely on the book, and not to offend anyone. That's not me; that's what the author tried to convey. I personally think that sometimes, among women, people can be encountered who aren't so logical, right?

As for reading this literary work, I'd give it a modest 'good.' But I wouldn't recommend buying it. There's nothing particularly interesting or unique. It's just a plain, ordinary TV series. Even not on Channel One.

However, if it's free, you can read it. But only if you have nothing else to do. That's just it...