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Original poster

Am I wrong about The 100-year-old Man...?

31 replies

CaptainNelson · 23/01/2019 13:32

Ok, so this was chosen for my book group. I didn't go into it with the best attitude because it annoys me when books have ridiculously long titles, but I tried to put aside my prejudices. However, about a third of the way through I found myself sighing in boredom when I picked up the book; I didn't care about any of the characters, I didn't find it funny at all, just daft, and I was particularly irritated by the old man's castration just so that the writer could avoid any messy romantic involvement. I gave up. But book group meeting is approaching and now I feel guilty about abandoning it.
Am I wrong about this book? The world seems to think so. What have I missed?

OP posts:
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Sunshine1235 · 10/02/2019 21:53

I found it really dull and gave up

PhannyMcNee · 10/02/2019 21:49

I enjoyed it (and Life of Pi) as did dc2 but dh and dc1 didn’t like either!

I find it quite fascinating how some books can be so “Marmite” divisive. The Goldfinch and My Brilliant friend both left me cold but friends raved about them.

BertieBotts · 10/02/2019 21:45

Oh I am glad I never finished it then Grin

I felt it was all very clever and meant to make me feel very clever as I preened myself for knowing all of these events in 20th century history except I have a crap knowledge of history, so I only vaguely got the sense that I was supposed to know what this or that referred to.

I wonder if those who are very interested in 20th century history are the ones who enjoy it?

BookWitch · 10/02/2019 21:32

It was pants though, I thought the same about the Man Called Ove.

BookWitch · 10/02/2019 21:31

I finished it but am struggling to remember the castration bit as well

mamaduckbone · 10/02/2019 09:07

It's one of very few books that I haven't finished - I also found it boring.

hackmum · 08/02/2019 14:55

I thought he was a total git to be honest.

Well, yes, that's the point. It's a satirical novel. If people haven't grasped that, they won't enjoy it.

ivykaty44 · 04/02/2019 17:07

He was castrated 😳 I forgot that part, I read it all - it was a bit silly..

Original poster
CaptainNelson · 24/01/2019 22:06

started, I feel a bit like you. I don't want to leave the group, but haven't enjoyed many of the books recently. But I'm sure some of the others don't like the books I choose, so maybe we all just need to be more honest. I don't always like the books I choose, actually - and I have said so! I know that not finishing the books isn't unusual within the group, so I'm just going to go and say what I thought as unconfrontationally as possible!
But I'm so glad so many other people didn't like it either Smile

OP posts:
AngryPrincess · 24/01/2019 19:26

I thought he was a total git to be honest.

StartedEarly · 24/01/2019 18:58

I gave up.
I like my book group, they are lovely people and I love it when everyone talks about what they are reading. I'm fed up though of books I hate. It's making me read less not more because I prevaricate.
My current dilemma is whether to quit or carry on and brazen out the months I don't want to read the books. To be fair no-one ever minds if you hold your hand up and say you haven't read it.

LoniceraJaponica · 24/01/2019 18:48

I must admit that I'm struggling to understand why people liked it. At first I thought it was slightly amusing, and a bit Forrest Gump-like, but it became too repetitive and ultimately rather boring. When a book reaches the point where I am not interested in turning the next page then it is time to give up.

I gave up on The Life of Pi as well.

Original poster
CaptainNelson · 24/01/2019 11:43

Glad I'm not alone!
goose, there's a sequel? ShockBiscuit
epiphany, I like your thinking

OP posts:
DontPanic42 · 23/01/2019 20:33

I read it and really liked it, I thought it was quite clever and a bit like Forrest Gump

Arcadia · 23/01/2019 20:32

This is way better....

Am I wrong about The 100-year-old Man...?
Foodylicious · 23/01/2019 20:31

The6te is a film if you can drag yourself through it...

Arcadia · 23/01/2019 20:30

I found it boring and skipped long bits. Didn't get the hype.

cloudtree · 23/01/2019 20:28

I think it’s a fantastic book. Ds1 (13) has also just read it and absolutely loved it.

fessmess · 23/01/2019 20:26

I loved it. One of my favourites. We also read it in book group and we all scored it high.

greyspottedgoose · 23/01/2019 20:21

I finished it! And got 63 pages into the sequel before admitting defeat

Am I wrong about The 100-year-old Man...?
MsAwesomeDragon · 23/01/2019 20:19

I read it all for a book club. It was ok, but I'll happily read anything, I'm not particularly discerning. I would never choose to read it again, and I've not been tempted to read any more by the same author. It was just a bit meh.

Thebookswereherfriends · 23/01/2019 20:18

I’m not one to give up on books, but I also packed it in. Only got 2 or 3 chapters and it was just not engaging me.

BartonHollow · 23/01/2019 20:17

I read it all (for a book club)

It was absolutely shite and I found it dire and annoying

DeadBod · 23/01/2019 20:15

Didn't like it at all. I gave up in the end which I don't think I've ever done with a book before.

SagelyNodding · 23/01/2019 20:11

It's one of the very few books I have given up on. I thought it was a load of shite.

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