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Original poster

Is there anyone else on here who didn't love The Book Thief?

264 replies

TunipTheVegedude · 07/07/2013 20:54

I was told to persevere with it and I'm now 63% through and it's annoying me more than ever.
I'm finding it pretentious and dull and while some of the characters are fine, the girl is totally unconvincing - she reads like someone has sat down and decided on some interesting characteristics to give her ('I know! I'll make her good at fighting and football!') rather than the character growing naturally.
Is it going to get better in the last 37%?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/07/2013 16:50

This is an interesting read:Madness
And of course, The Woman In White, and One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest are obvious superb reads.

CoteDAzur · 10/07/2013 16:21

mixedmama has only seen the film so we can safely assume that she was talking about the film, not the book.

BOF · 10/07/2013 13:40

Yes, that's how the film is classified. I wouldn't call the novel genre fiction in that way though?

CoteDAzur · 10/07/2013 13:28

Well, IMDB and Wikipedia call it Romantic Comedy Drama.

If you are interested in mental health, I would recommend The Atrocity Exhibition by J G Ballard and Umbrella by Will Self.

mixedmamameansbusiness · 10/07/2013 10:55

I didn't think Silver Linings was rom-com. I have only seem the film. I thought it was a great take on mental health (I have a bizarre fascination with mental health).

Clawdy · 09/07/2013 18:05

I really liked The Book Thief. I really hated A Thousand Splendid Suns. Is that odd,then??

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/07/2013 17:40

I quite like Kevin B. At least he's got a few original thoughts in his head (unlike Suzanne Collins) and doesn't think that lurve is everything (unlike Suzanne Collins, Stephanie I'm putting feminism back three centuries Myers and Malorie Blackman.

Hullygully · 09/07/2013 17:30

I can't remember any details about Misogynies either, just that they are Bad

hackmum · 09/07/2013 17:23

Tunip: "Hackmum, do you know Joan Smith's essay in Misogynies about Sophie's Choice? She makes the same point."

I have read Misogynies, but it was years ago, and I can't remember! I shall dig it out and find that one.

SauceForTheGander · 09/07/2013 13:28

Sophie's World I was thinking of.

SauceForTheGander · 09/07/2013 13:27

Exit I genuinely think so. I get worried how deteriorated my brain power is. I'm sure I used to be brighter. I read these threads to challenge myself!

I couldn't get along with Sophie's Choice. Thought it was twaddle. But that was years ago and pre kids. If probably love it now.

Hullygully · 09/07/2013 13:21

I'm saying nowt

Original poster
TunipTheVegedude · 09/07/2013 11:24

OK. 20% into it. It's very well written.

OP posts:
Original poster
TunipTheVegedude · 09/07/2013 10:11

I've just bought that horrible book Hully. Couldn't stop myself.
Am I going to wish I hadn't?

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByABear · 09/07/2013 09:08

You are all far too clever for me.

Interesting what Sauce said up thread, that 2 years of no sleep had addled her brain.

I think lack of sleep and too much wine have prevented me from having an intelligent debate about why I like or dislike a book.

But glad to hear I am not alone in not getting past the first chapter of The Book Thief.

Original poster
TunipTheVegedude · 09/07/2013 08:41

Hackmum, do you know Joan Smith's essay in Misogynies about Sophie's Choice? She makes the same point.

OP posts:
hackmum · 09/07/2013 08:32

I was joking about the royalty! [Reminds self to use smiley emoticons in future.]

I know the thread has moved on a bit but my real objection to The Book Thief was the attempt to be thought of as being a Serious and Important book because it was about a Serious and Important subject. And it doesn't work like that, in my view. (I feel the same way about the film of Schindler's list.)

Hullygully · 09/07/2013 07:41

The Cuba one is very good - is that Mal Peet?

Original poster
TunipTheVegedude · 09/07/2013 07:09

I liked the Justin one and the girl in the shack by the sea. I couldn't finish the god-is-a-teenage-boy one.

Kevin Brooks is too dark and violent for me .

Mal Peet is good, even the football ones.

OP posts:
BOF · 08/07/2013 23:28

The film gave it a more rom-com emphasis. The book was far more focussed on his development.

CoteDAzur · 08/07/2013 22:48

I didn't read or watch it. Romantic comedies aren't really my thing.

BOF · 08/07/2013 22:44

That's one I never got round to reading. Cote, what did you think of The Silver Linings Playbook?

CoteDAzur · 08/07/2013 22:40

Curious Incident is very good.

Hullygully · 08/07/2013 22:33

Some books that don't say they are YA but crossover anyway are better. Like Curious Incident

MadameDefarge · 08/07/2013 22:31

As if.