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Disappointment with over-hyped books

67 replies

Bezalelle · 23/04/2019 11:51

I have a feeling that this post is going to come across as bitchy and churlish, but here goes.

Is anyone else frequently disappointed with over-hyped novels, especially debuts? I can think of three recent ones off the top of my head.

"The Girls" by Emma Cline. Million-dollar advance, huge hype. I bought it eagerly and read it, and felt massively let down. Poor characterisation, overwrought writing, unconvincing plotting (even though it was based on the true story of the Manson cult).

"Tangerine" by Christine Mangan. I started a whole thread on this, such was my irritation. Again, a brilliant premise, blighted by flimsy characters, turgid prose, and almost grotesquely-cliched (and racist/orientalist) depictions of Morocco and Moroccan people. A nice "psycho lesbian" element thrown in too...

"The Confessions of Frannie Langton" by Sara Collins. I followed the progress of this writer and book from its nomination for the Lucy Cavendish prize, and have to say that Sara was sold a pup by her agent/publisher/editor. Her original opening chapter and plot were brilliant, but the resulting novel smacks of over-editing in terms of plot, and under-editing for cogency/readability. There's a simile every other line, at least.

Really disappointing. For all we're told about how competitive and cut-throat the writing world is (I'm a writer myself), why are we constantly sold these over-hyped debuts that never meet up to expectations?

OP posts:
Synecdoche · 26/04/2019 18:55

I was bitterly disappointed by The Essex Serpent - was so excited to read it!

SunsetBunny · 26/04/2019 18:53

I’d say they’re not disappointing on the whole, but Eleanor Oliphant is the first one where I’m wondering what the fuss has been about.

SaveThePangolin · 25/04/2019 14:31

I was bored by Where'd you go Bernadette, which everyone else seemed to like. I just cannot see what people liked about it. Boring writing.

I haven't read Eleanor Oliphant, specifically because of the stupid Bernadette book, as it seemed like the same amount of people banging on and on about it being so great.

I love George Saunders though.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/04/2019 14:23

Loved The Goldfinch, liked The Girls, loathed every second of Elena Ferrante.

ritzbiscuits · 25/04/2019 14:18

Yes! Eleanor Oliphant - it was ok but completely ordinary. I really don't get the massive hype about this one!

I've started reading properly again after a few years, so I'm lucky to be able to look back into the archives rather than rely so much on new releases.

QueenOfTheTofuTree · 25/04/2019 13:11

I felt this way about The Girl On The Train. I was so excited to read it because everyone was raving about it but when I did I was just WTF.

Boring predictable overrated twaddle imo.

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 24/04/2019 18:49

One person's over hyped book is another person's idea of a masterpiece personally I loved The Goldfinch, but hated these ones much loved on MN, Lincoln in the Bardo, Autumn, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Lovely Bones, Gentleman in Moscow, somewhat dull but not as bad as the rest, it seemed to me every man and his dog raved about the others, just me then Hmm

Meanwhile I thought these were quite nice, but not awe inspiring, Eleanor Oliphant, (really overhyped) The Essex Serpent, The Lido.

Just proves we are all different.

Films well none more so than La La Land, had really bigged that up in my mind and it was so well................meh!

TheresaT · 24/04/2019 14:47

Everything can be over hyped. That's how marketing works unfortunately. I've read both good and bad books.
My favourite book recently was a Psychological Thriller written by a real Psychologist :
The Mind Reader: The Countdown Has Begun
Personally I found that pretty gripping from start to finish.
Good luck!

MaitreKarlsson · 24/04/2019 14:36

Bridges of Madison Cunty Grin

tobee · 23/04/2019 20:56

I find this with films and TV too. Lowest expectations often equal good enjoyment.

tobee · 23/04/2019 20:55

I find this with films and TV too. Lowest expectations often equal good enjoyment.

Tweedypie · 23/04/2019 18:01

It is super subjective but there's so many books I just think meh about after they've been really hyped.
I almost think without the hoo haa I might have enjoyed them more as my expectations were not built up.
I could never ever get into and rave about Eat, Pray Love for example, but so very many people I knew thought it was amazing.
I also could never read "Bridges of Madison Cunty" without weeping but my best friend says it's soppy shite! I suppose we all like what we like ultimately.

Aimily · 23/04/2019 17:42

I tend to find any debut novel I've read in the past year with 5 or 6 reviews saying something along the lines of "stunning story" or "brilliant debut" tend to be a chore to read.
Basically the last 6 books I've read for my bookclub have been that and of the 8 of us that go only 1 person has enjoyed the book each time.

CyclingSquirrel · 23/04/2019 17:41

I recently read Eleanor Ophiphant is Completely Fine and right it started really strongly but then withered away into convenient stereotypes and was pretty disappointed by the route it took.

Not read any of the ones on your list though.

MaitreKarlsson · 23/04/2019 17:38

But it's all so subjective - personally i really loved The Girls and have reread the Goldfinch! But as for that awful Sally Rooney one....gah. Most recently i read the Silent Companions. Won some award for tub thumping read and 5 star reviews. A week of my life i will never get backSmile

tobee · 23/04/2019 16:29

Loads of books like this! Especially if they've got rave reviews stuffed all over the cover. Many books feel like they have a good premise but the premise doesn't go anywhere, characters speak in cliches etc.

I read one debut which said in the author blurb that they'd gone to some creative writing workshop. It read as if they just chucked in everything they'd learnt. Sad

Plenty also feel like they had 200 pages written and were told to stick in another 100 pages in the middle.

I'm very wary of hyped books these days and find reading something later more enjoyable as I've forgotten about the original push.

Hellohah · 23/04/2019 12:18

Not sure it's a debut - but I finished The Goldfinch (Donna Tartt) last week. Oh my God - what a trial it was. I liked the story, but it was a slog and half to finish it. Far, far, far too long. When you read it, all you keep thinking is "this could be brilliant if she clearly wasn't trying to write an epic masterpiece".