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Original poster

Books that were recommended to you but turned out to be absolute pointless drivel - the wasted hours you'll never get back - a warning list for others!

230 replies

MadreInglese · 28/02/2011 14:37

These immediately spring to mind:

Kate Mosse - Labyrinth
(also her The Winter Ghosts - should have known after I read one of hers that another would be just as crud)

Paulo Coehlo - The Alchemist

Audrey Niffeneger - Her Fearful Symmetry
(first half was readable then she appears to have taken some strange pills before embarking on the rest of the book)

Stephanie Meyer - The Twilight Trauma Saga

OP posts:
stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 20:33

a spot of bother? i think i liked that too. never got any with any other proulx, but have only seen short stories and i'm a bit prejudiced against short stories.

pointy - the food taster by peter elbling is similar to princess bride. sorry to elbow in on your recommendations!

and who didn't like cloud atlas? it's ACE!

hocuspontas · 28/02/2011 20:33

Can't BELIEVE someone said Catch-22! Probably one of the best books ever written! Shame on you Grin

Agree with Wolf Hall, Labyrinth, Da Vinci etc.

Someone mentioned Richard and Judy. There's something attractive about the way these are displayed in my local library. I always get sucked in. I'm always disappointed.

LadyBiscuit · 28/02/2011 20:33

I've never understood why Kate Mosse is held up a serious literary person when she writes such utter cack.

Given up on Life of Pi and Georgette Heyer (sorry to those who recommended her).

And don't get me started on Jodi bloody Picoult

Guildenstern · 28/02/2011 20:32

I'll say it: I love Possession.

But am willing to jump on the bandwagon of hate for Kevin, Perfume, Da Vinci Code, Time Traveller's Wife, and The Island.

I would like to suggest The Wasp Factory as a complete waste of reading hours.

Exogenesis · 28/02/2011 20:30

I hated ROOM. I read it for work and honestly twas awful IMO.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 28/02/2011 20:27

Actually I liked The Island by Victoria Hislop but then we visited Spinalonga when we went to Crete so maybe I saw it differently havign actually been to the island

I have Perfume unread on the shelf too, might try that one next

OP posts:
BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:25

Yes, I liked Curious Incident too. HATED his next one though.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:25

Never seen the film, no. Maybe I should get the dvd too.

I found Curious INcident an enjoyable read.

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:24

I failed with Life Of Pi. I liked The Shipping News but didn't get on with any others of hers that I tried.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:24

I loved perfume too.

pirateparty · 28/02/2011 20:24

Another vote for Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I found it really really boring.

Also I once read one of those awful personal tragedy books - I think it was A Child Called It or one of that series. Very, very sad obviously, but so badly written, and felt voyeuristic yet like the author was cashing in at the same time. Hated every second of it and only finished it because I can't bear not finishing books. There is a whole section of 'personal tragedy' books now - who reads them???

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:24

Have you never seen the film, Pointy? Tis a masterpiece I tell you!

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:23

life of pi improved hugely abut half way through. Almost gave uo before that point.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:22

oo, have just read about it. Like the sound of that.

stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 20:20

this thread's fast
loved princess bride, v funny
loved shipping news and tractors
i think i read life of pi with only half my brain and didn't really worry too much about what did or didn't make sense.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:20

Tell me about the princess bride. I haven't read it and haven't ordered yet.

And agree re Proulx. I like the cut of her gib.

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:17

That's him! Thanks.

stainesmassif · 28/02/2011 20:15

chuck palahnuik

i also tried georgette heyer based on mn and didn't enjoy her at all. similarly elizabeth howard -the light years. sorry mumsnet.

brimfull · 28/02/2011 20:15

blimey
I like TTW
Love Hardy
enjoyed Kevin and loved Shipping News

totally agree with

Tractors
Steig Larson
Wolf Hall
Lovely Bones
Possession
Riverton and Forgotten Garden

all shitola

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:15

HAVE - I came over all Dick Van Dyke for a moment then.

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:14

No - it's a long time since I read it but iirc it's a sort of fairy story about a 'bedtime story' which kills those who read it. Strange and interesting. I don't think it had any humour though!

On a totally different tack - ave you read The Princess Bride?

Deaddei · 28/02/2011 20:13

I too love Kate Atkinson.
Just finished her latest.
I didn't rate that One Day or whatever it's called, Room and Ukranian Tractors. In fact, I had to leave my book club over that one Wink

ManateeEquineOhara · 28/02/2011 20:12

Life of Pi. My mother told me I would find it funny. I read the whole thing waiting for it to become funny.

pointydog · 28/02/2011 20:12

No. Is it violent?

BelligerentGhoul · 28/02/2011 20:11

I understand re the Coupland - I must admit after reading Girlfriend in a Coma and Life After God I kept thinking that he wasn't quite perfect yet but clearly had a perfect book inside him - sadly, it hasn't come out yet.

Have you read Lullaby by Chuck whatshisname who wrote Fight Club?