I took a break from my summer reads, which were all about Stephen King. Recently, someone lent me God Bless America. I had never heard of François Ide before. Out of curiosity, I decided to give it a try. With only 125 pages, the book is short, so I thought, why not?
A Promising Synopsis for God Bless America
The synopsis promised an intriguing dive into deep America: “But everything was enchantment, precisely, starting with that name, Don Chalmers, and that oversized pickup truck that, behind its immaculate robe, held a promise of fury.”
An Impeccable Style, But…
François Ide’s writing is impeccable. Perhaps too impeccable. The style is precise, polished, almost too much so for a casual reader. Every word seems carefully chosen, every sentence finely tuned. You can feel the effort in every line. Some might appreciate that.
A Disturbing Moralizing Tone
I forced myself to continue. Yet, I nearly stopped several times. It’s not that the book is long. It’s just that it deeply irritated me. What bothered me most was the moralizing tone. François Ide seems to judge deep America with a condescending eye. He positions himself above, critical, and disdainful. There’s a pretentiousness in his tone that made me uncomfortable. I enjoy books that challenge perspectives, but here, the judgment is heavy. Too heavy for me.
A Journey into the Heart of Colorado
That said, I did appreciate the essence of the book. The author manages to transport us to Colorado, with its vast landscapes and typical atmospheres. While reading, you almost feel like you’re there, amidst those great American expanses. This sense of escape was one of the few positive aspects for me.
Conclusion
In summary, God Bless America is a well-written book, but I didn’t like it. If you enjoy writings that carry a certain arrogance and pass judgment without hesitation, you might find it appealing. As for me, it’s not the kind of read I would recommend.