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Original poster

Which book/books have you really tried hard to read,but failed ?

281 replies

Mirage · 29/06/2007 23:42

Mine are;
Ulysses(sp)
Wild Swans

OP posts:
WendyWeber · 30/06/2007 13:11

Also that Bill Bryson book that's supposed to explain difficult stuff so dumb-brains can understand it - I'm even more of a dumb-brain than I realised!

WendyWeber · 30/06/2007 13:08

Wild Swans, yes.

Currently The Night Watch -

"THE No. 1 BESTSELLER"

"SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER & THE ORANGE PRIZE"

(must just be me then )

The Time Traveller's Wife I managed to finish but didn't get it. Silly book.

yajorome · 30/06/2007 12:56

Affluenza. Just thinking about it winds me up. I finished Cloud Atlas, but thought it was too clever by half and not worth the hype. That Freud one - Interpretation of Murder? I've only just started that but got sidetracked, so haven't given it a proper go.

Otherwise, Gravity's Rainbow (just can't be bothered) is my nemesis. I do aim to read it one day, maybe.

I aim to never read: anything by Will Self, Ulysses and any more pop psych. Life's too short.

UnquietDad · 30/06/2007 12:47

I loved Secret History too.

Another I failed to get through: that flipping Tractors in Ukrainian thing. There is a large and vocal minority in the chattering classes of Sheffield who think Marina L is some sort of genius. I thought it was awful - couldn't get beyond the first 50 pages. Didn't even realise it was supposed to be "funny"!

brimfull · 30/06/2007 12:34

The Island,gave up half way through.Crapola!!

ViciousSquirrelSpotter · 30/06/2007 12:27

Hotel du Lac, Anita Brookner

Turgid rubbish

MarsLady · 30/06/2007 12:25

It is on my list to attempt again. It's been several years, but if it doesn't work.... off the charity shop it goes! (and I don't like giving away books)

NotQuiteCockney · 30/06/2007 12:24

Oh, the Corrrections is a bit depressing, I'll grant you that, but funny, too.

MarsLady · 30/06/2007 12:23

NQC.... no! Wanted to jump under a train instead!

Ulysees · 30/06/2007 12:23

Mirage you spelt it right, I changed my way of spelling it

fannyannie · 30/06/2007 12:23

I know Catch 22 is supposed to be really good - that's why I kept trying - but just couldn't get into it,

fannyannie · 30/06/2007 12:22

NCQ - I loved The Secret History - its one of the few "proper" books I've actually since re-read since having childrn (don't have time for much reading so a bit of a miracle I've managed to complete it again LOL).

Ulysees · 30/06/2007 12:22

The woman in White, really wanted to read it but couldn't get into it. Supposed to be a brilliant book too.

policywonk · 30/06/2007 12:22

Had a look at the JS thread, closed it quickly. It was frightening.

Wisteria - it was 'I Knew I Was Right', I think. It really was stupendously bad.

NotQuiteCockney · 30/06/2007 12:21

Ok, I quit, you're all freaks. How can you not enjoy Catch 22?

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 30/06/2007 12:21

Lord of the Rings.

NotQuiteCockney · 30/06/2007 12:21

Woah, you didn't finish the Corrections, either?

fannyannie · 30/06/2007 12:21

Catch 22 - tried 5 or 6 times before finally giving up on it.

NotQuiteCockney · 30/06/2007 12:21

Cloud Atlas was great!

MarsLady · 30/06/2007 12:20

Cloud Atlas

Corrections

Orlando

Wisteria · 30/06/2007 12:20

PW - which Julie Burchill was it? I read Sugar Rush because my daughter's English teacher wants them to do it for Yr9 and asked me what I thought.
I loved her writing for the NME and found this easy to read but a little OTT, personally I wouldn't fancy teaching it to yr9s although I can see the benefits.

Chirpygirl · 30/06/2007 12:19

I keep The shipping news by my bed as it is the only book I have ever found that actually does send me to sleep!

policywonk · 30/06/2007 12:18

Will go find thread and see if I can be of assistance

Wisteria · 30/06/2007 12:17

I'll try them again - I have an annoying habit of refusing to be beaten but I think it depends what mood you are in when you read some books; would urge others to try TTW again as it really is a superb book when you get into it.

policywonk · 30/06/2007 12:17

Hated the Shipping News, but did finish it.