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Middlemarch.

I've tried reading it three times now, and enjoyed it right up to the point where Dorothea gets engaged to Casaubon. And then, for no reason hit a stumbling block.

It's always the same point in the story as well. I think it's when there's some protracted discussion of the corn laws / agricultural practice.

Has anyone else encountered this? A book you really want to finish but that just defeats you?

Ulysess by James Joyce

Most books involving bonnets tbh.
The TV series defeat me too. I still have the last 2 episodes of Little Dorrit to get through enjoy.

Cranford was the worst. Started it (the book) about 4 times. And 4 times it's gone back on the shelf.

At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien. Have reluctantly conceded life's too short.

(Middlemarch is brilliant though, I loved it. Why not just skip the corn laws bit)

I've never got through any James Joyce actually. Many others too - Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marques to name a couple. I loved Middlemarch tho'.
I used to try to read books I considered "worthy" (not sure what criteria I used!) but now think there are lots of good books I still havent read, so if I struggle it means its not for me. Perhaps I am being lazy, but I dont wantreading to be a chore.

I always have a book I want to read, and a book I feel I ought to read, on the go at the same time.
Sometimes, (but not very often) I get completely hooked on the "worthy" one and it takes over my life. But more often than not, I think "not another feckin bonnet" and chuck it back on the pile....

Catch-22 has defeated me at least three times. I don't know why, because I always enjoy the first couple of chapters and then somehow lose it.

Catch 22

A Brief History Of Time. Turns out it's not nearly brief enough.

Yes Catch 22 was another one for me too.

I struggle with catch 22 actually as well now you mention it. But that's not so much as a defeat as a rout! I've yet to get past the first five pages.

Lord of the rings

Got to 2nd chapter of 2nd part and discovered i had no idea who any of the characters where or their significance to the story.

Gave up. Just enjoying film version now -too chicken to retry

Ulysses - can't get beyond about chapter 3.

Frustratedmom, I did LOTR after watching the movie and managed to read it just fine. Couldn't get past the first chapter with the book originally....Hope you manage to read it next time.

I have read all of LOTR- but I did have glandular fever and no telly at the time...and I glossed over the Elvish poems and what not....

All Couplands.

I start them, get about 5 chapters from the end and then die of boredom. I give up. Then, for some inexplicable reason, 3 months later, I'll start another, and do the same thing all over again!

Ulysses, simply confuses me and sends me to sleep (like almost everyone I know who's tried it!)
Also, and somewhat bizarrely as I was expecting to love them:
Captain Corelli,
Time Traveller's Wife
Brick Lane
Red Earth and Pouring Rain

Perhaps defeated is the wrong word for these last 4 although I did give up on them, so perhaps not!!

Nope, Captain Corelli defeate me too. I got four or five chapters in and then gave up. Also Salman Rushdie - I got about 2/3 through Midnight's Children before I lost patience.

Mine is Tom Jones. I have started it at least twice a year since about 1980. I read the first few chapters then get engrossed in a new Lee Child or other murder mystery. Need more staying power!

Iron Council by China Meville. I LOVED both PSS and The Scar but haven't yet been able to finish Iron Council despite starting it 3 times.

Youve written a book haven't you Libra? I think I've bought it if I've got that right. I must confess it is a bit on the academic side for me so I can include that as a book defeat

I used to be able to do academia, but my brain appears to have rotten of late

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, it's rare a book defeats me, but I just couldn't waste my time on this. No regrets either, I'll never try again.

Banjo I can quite safely say that you have got me mixed up with someone else . I am intrigued to know who you think I am however!

Message withdrawn

Possession. I didn't get people raving about it...