James Patterson

James Patterson. What is your opinion of his writing?

Bah. It's pretty dreadful.

I read his very first few books decades ago. Then they turned to drivel.

Now that a book under his name comes out every week or so, I won't waste my time.

The first couple of Cross books were great. He kind of changed the game with his short chapters that sped the action along. Then I think he plugged the formula into a computer, or hired unknowns to write the books for him and gave them the format to follow. Anyway, they turned to crap and I haven't read anything with his name on it for years. No plans to go back either.

Most of his early stuff is readable. Then things turned to the worse, he started lending his name to aspiring authors and these days I rarely even look at his books...

I agree with all that has been said so far

I liked the first few Cross books. I think I read 6 or 7 of them when I was in high school years ago. There was a plot point in one of them that really seemed secret agentish and really turned me off. I don't really want to describe it here in case someone is actually planning on reading them. But I developed a distaste for Patterson around that time and never tried another and then he seemed to put out 3 or 4 books a year...

Basically, I feel like there is so much high quality genre writing out there, that I don't think I will ever feel the desire to read anymore Patterson.

It is worth noting that he seems to be using some of that money to do some good things, like helping independent book stores, so regardless of how I feel about his work, I want to acknowledge that.

I didn't know that last bit and that does make me think better of him. I am still done with his books though.

Me too, Tim. He has plenty of money and I can't stand reading his books.

Too bad!!! I agree with all.

Not fond of his books, but can't knock his success.