From another well-known agent, just the other day:
Hi Alex, I am so so sorry to be slow. I have been outrageously behind, and when I see the date of receipt of this ms I am horrified and so apologetic.
I had an intern read it a few weeks ago and she brought it to me with arelatively good report, so i started reading myself. My thoughts are these: you are a fabulous writer, and you create each of these characters with style and smarts. There is so much to admire in this book. BUT I find that I had trouble getting fully engaged in the overall plot and shape of the book as a whole, as I tried to become engaged in each of these lives you present. They are all done quite well, but I really respond much better to a novel that has a more centered plot. This plot works, I wouldnt deny that, but for me, a matter of taste more than anything else, it did not arouse passion. I think you are quite good but I dont think I am the right match for you. I am so sorry. But your talent is real, and I urge you to get other readings ... I wish I could help you but you need someone who has a strong vision for the novel and its place on the market, a vision which unfortunately I cannot provide to you.
I wish you much success with this, and I am so sorry I cannot help. BUT please keep faith in your work because you are truly a wise and talented writer.
Yours, XXXXXX
I have to remember that this is, in fact, a good thing. I just feel so close, and yet so dizzyingly, insurmoutably far. I simply have to remember that a response of any kind is a blessing, and that a response like this is a great, generous gift. There seems to be an accumulation of wisdom in these rejections--somehow, although the characters are engaging and the plot is successful the novel is not fully engagingor successful. I would give millions (if I had them) for a month of retreat to wade back into the novel's big pool.
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