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Love like apples
Author: Jeff ZentnerPage Count: UnknownPublication Date: Expected publication 2026-11-03 APL And so, another nostalgic, artist-as-tortured-soul novel emerges, reeking of the same overwrought sentimentality that has come to define the genre. Love, Like Apples, Jeff Zentner's upcoming magnum opus, promises to regale us with the tale of Tiller Loomis, a brooding artiste who finds solace in the "strange, tender art of puppetry" after a childhood marred by an emotionally distant father and the loss of his brother in Vietnam. But what, pray tell, is the point of this exercise in sentimental navel-gazing? Are we to be treated to yet another iteration of the "tortured artist finds love and redemption" trope, replete with the obligatory bohemian misfits and experimental art projects? The synopsis reads like a laundry list of every cliché in the artist-as-protagonist playbook, with nary a hint of originality or depth to be found. And don't even get me started on the narrative framing device – a present-day documentary production about Imagine Nation, the PBS show where Tiller finds his "chosen family" of artists and misfits. How trite, how predictable, how utterly safe. It's a narrative crutch, a way to inject a sense of gravitas and importance into what is essentially a lightweight, feel-good tale of artistic expression and love. But, I suppose, for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Kristin Hannah, this will be catnip. The sentimental, the melodramatic, the artist-as-savior complex – it's all here, in spades. And, of course, the obligatory nostalgic backdrop of 1970s New York City, replete with its "gritty, graffitied, bohemian hothouse" atmosphere. It's a wonder the author didn't throw in a few references to Studio 54 and The Ramones for good measure. The thematic elements, such as they are, seem to revolve around the power of "radical empathy" and the transformative power of art. How quaint, how touching, how utterly banal. It's a message that has been done to death, and done far better, by authors like Donna Tartt and Michael Cunningham. And yet, despite my better judgment, I find myself drawn to the prospect of reading Love, Like Apples. Perhaps it's the promise of a lush, atmospheric setting, or the tantalizing prospect of watching Tiller Loomis navigate the treacherous waters of artistic expression and love. Or perhaps it's simply the fact that, as a jaded literary critic, I'm always on the lookout for something – anything – to surprise me, to shake me out of my complacent cynicism. The Puppeteer's Art But I digress. Love, Like Apples promises to be a sweeping, sentimental epic, full of "lyrical, deeply felt" prose and "wonderful" characters. It's a book that will, no doubt, be devoured by fans of the genre, and will likely find its way onto many a bestseller list. But for this critic, at least, it's a case of déjà vu all over again – a rehashing of tired tropes and sentimental clichés, with nary a hint of originality or depth to be found. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with my architect to discuss the penthouse renovations. #LiteraryClichés #SentimentalNonsense #PuppeteersOfTheWorldUnite Related InsightsRoundabout (Detour, #2) Book Review and Summary 1984 Book Review and Summary Faust, First Part Book Review and Summary{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the main focus of Love, Like Apples Book Review and Summary?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Everything you need to know about Love, Like Apples with our detailed review." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who authored the comprehensive guide on Love, Like Apples Book Review and Summary?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This detailed article and its insights were carefully researched and authored by Klaus Weber." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I find more related content about Books?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can explore more articles, detailed reviews, and similar insights by browsing the Related Insights section at the bottom of this article or visiting our dedicated Books category page." } } ] }