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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:
EffiePerine · 30/07/2007 20:53

ahem, here

Why was it so bad?

shoddy writing
unbelievable characters
matching tattoos (ugh)
and not even particularly funny

expatinscotland · 30/07/2007 20:52

Ditto, Hassled! 'One Good Turn' is an absolute corker of a read! Brilliant writing, brilliant story, terrific from end to end.

lazycat · 30/07/2007 20:51

Not sure about recently, but the worst book I've ever read was the Celestine Prophecy. It was so toe-plaitingly awful I had to stop reading it pretty quickly!

margoandjerry · 30/07/2007 20:51

Agree re IK.

Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell - worst book I have ever read. But just to be even handed, Anthony Powell's Dance to the Music of Time is pretty unreadable too.

Hassled · 30/07/2007 20:50

Not exactly highbrow but I do (usually) love a bit of Jlly Cooper - but that last one, Wicked, was just a pile of poo - I gave up after a few chapters. Endless whittering on and on - I didn't care about any of the characters, who were all one-dimensional and cliched.
Have just finished "One Good Turn" by Kate Atkinson and it is the best thing I've read in years - I can't recommend it highly enough.

MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 20:47

Mind you, that India Knight sucks and blows pretty hard, and MN are promoting her - what's that all about?

MuminBrum · 30/07/2007 20:47

I read a "novel" by Andy McNab a couple of weeks ago. What a steaming pile of khaki underpants.

binklehasflipped · 30/07/2007 20:43

andrew collins 'that me in the corner'

expatinscotland · 30/07/2007 20:42

All that Shopaholic shitey shite.

MaloryTheExciterTowers · 30/07/2007 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CountessDracula · 30/07/2007 20:41

that Lionel Shriver tennis book
irritating beyond belief
and dull