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Original poster

What is the worst book you have read recently and why was it so bad?

361 replies

Miaou · 30/07/2007 20:41

I've been reading light stuff atm and just grabbed this off the "chick lit" stand at the library just before having ds2 - I struggled valiantly through to the end but was really disappointed in it. The story was turgid and predictable, the characters one-dimensional, and I felt that what could have been an interesting story with the potential for some really sinister turns, was in fact incredibly dull. The final "showdown" between the mother and son was jaw-droppingly badly written and really let the whole book down.

However I have had lots of fun picking it to pieces so maybe it was worth it

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 30/07/2007 21:12

I was really worried that someone would pick that Kevin book for our book group. I really do NOT want to read it.
Horrific books I have suffered through recently
Five people you meet in Heaven.
What a load of shite.
Brick Lane.
Tedious beyond belief. How anyone could care what happens to any of the characters is beyond me.
The Ukrainian tractors thingy.
Funny? My arse.

DH has just saved me the trouble of reading The Interpretation of Murder - he has been reading it with his head metaphorically in his hands entertaining me with a appalled commentary as he does so. Would be even funnier if it hadn't be a birthday present - from me.

FluffyMummy123 · 30/07/2007 21:10

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MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 21:09

Oh yes, I do like that Barbara Kingsolver. And Barbara Trapido. But not Barbara Cartland, obviously.

EffiePerine · 30/07/2007 21:09

There's a winter book as well?

oregonianabroad · 30/07/2007 21:09

was given a copy of everything is illuminated while expecting ds2 -- couldn't see the point. which brings me to another point, slighlty off topic: what do you do if someone lends you a book you don't like?

FillydoraTonks · 30/07/2007 21:07

oh yes have done that and am now doing pigs in heaven.

also tove jansson the winter book. she is such a splendid writer though that i am rationing myself a bit.

oh I have another crappola one from the last month (it hasn't been a good reading month), jd salinger's daughter's book-dreamcatcher. VERY bad.

Hassled · 30/07/2007 21:07

What's wrong with "One Good Turn"???????

Aitch · 30/07/2007 21:05

was she the poisonwood bible or somethign like that? i liked that book.

FillydoraTonks · 30/07/2007 21:04

and oh feckin hell, the book about kevin

it said in her biography tht she had no children. i don't think that needed pointing out, really

FillydoraTonks · 30/07/2007 21:03

kind of lol but also at pruni

worst was abortionist daughter, closely followed by that other book by the same woman about the mad mother. To read to the end felt like rubbernecking

am working through barbara kingsolver atm and feel in much better hands

FluffyMummy123 · 30/07/2007 21:03

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Aitch · 30/07/2007 21:02

oooh yes, what's the big stink about mccall smith? i found the detective agency completely unreadable and gave up.

FluffyMummy123 · 30/07/2007 21:02

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FluffyMummy123 · 30/07/2007 21:02

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FluffyMummy123 · 30/07/2007 21:01

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Pruners · 30/07/2007 21:01

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Aitch · 30/07/2007 20:58

louise welch's latest book, the bullet trick. shitey shitola. almost nothing worked. shame, that, cos i quite liked the cutting room.

MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 20:57

And that frightful pile of sentimental old drivel Chocolat - mind you, her other books are no better.

wordgirl · 30/07/2007 20:55

Agree with Hassled re Wicked. Thought it would be a bit of light summer reading but gave up on it after a few chapters. I think Jilly Cooper is best sticking to what she knows about (ponies and rich people etc) - she obviously knows bugger all about state schools!

MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 20:55

Oh, not bloody Alexander McCall Smith! "Ohhh Mma you are so wise and so clever!" "Oh Rrrra indeeed I am, have another cup of bush tea."

sazzybee · 30/07/2007 20:54

Jodi Picoult something or other. Absolute drivel.

Pruners · 30/07/2007 20:53

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EffiePerine · 30/07/2007 20:53

I liked Dance to the Music of Time, though

LyraBelacqua · 30/07/2007 20:53

The worst recently was Lisey's Story by Stephen King. The title is misleading - there is no story, or none that I came across. I got about a third of the way through and nothing had happened except the constant replaying of a flashback over and over and over. I decided life was too short to waste on such a crap book.

MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 20:53

The winner of the Crotte d'Or award for highbrow shite has to be The Name of the Rose.

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