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Original poster

Disappointing Reads from 2015

110 replies

Quogwinkle · 23/12/2015 08:45

Following on from Southeast's best reads from 2015, I've been thinking about the books that have disappointed me ie not lived up to expectations, have been over-hyped by the media or were just not that enjoyable for me. I know one person's favourite book can be another's hated book, tastes are all different, but these are the ones that I haven't enjoyed as much as I was hoping I would.

  1. Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
  2. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
  3. Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
  4. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (nowhere near as funny as The Rosie Project)
  5. Stoner by John Williams (so depressing)
  6. A Song For Issy Bradley by Carys Bray (just didn't like the claustrophobic religious element)
  7. Wake by Anna Hope (shows WW1 books are hard to get right)
  8. Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
OP posts:
Maplessglobe · 23/12/2015 13:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/12/2015 13:41

And, 'Breakfast of Champions'- really, really hated that.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/12/2015 13:36

Just remembered 'Longbourne' - loathed it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/12/2015 13:29

Loads - but I think the one that annoyed me the most was Merrily bloody Watkins.

Original poster
Quogwinkle · 23/12/2015 11:13

That's interesting about Elizabeth is Missing. I thought I might get flamed for not liking that one Blush. I did struggle through to the end of The Buried Giant. It was a struggle though and I really didn't like it.

One more that I've read recently - most people seem to have loved it - Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. I've read it twice now and still am disappointed. It feels emotionally detached to me. I couldn't warm to the story at all. Still think nothing of his I've read has ever quite come up to The Blackwater Lightship, which I loved. I still want to see the film though, when I get round to it.

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 23/12/2015 09:35

Agree with Elizabeth Is Missing. Was so looking forward to it after it had been recommended by various friends. I didn't enjoy it at all.

OrangeSquashTallGlass · 23/12/2015 09:17

Elizabeth is Missing was very hit and miss in our house. I stayed up into the night to read it because I couldn't put it down (and absolutely sobbed over it too). While dp cant be bothered to finish it and cant see what all the fuss is about.

bigbadbarry · 23/12/2015 09:06

Quog I gave the buried giant up halfway through, just couldn't go on any longer.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 23/12/2015 09:04

Purity by Jonathan Frantzen. I was so looking forward to it after loving his earlier books but it was so slow going.

FredaMayor · 23/12/2015 09:02

The Girl On The Train, which I found cynical and unengaging in style over content, pointlessly episodic and bearing the sticky fingerprints of an author with an eye on selling film rights. An annoying let down after the hype.