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Original poster

Authors who are very popular but you just don't get....

211 replies

Corneliawildthing · 21/01/2020 18:38

I read the first Harry Potter book when my kids were little and was rather underwhelmed by it (maybe I wasn't the target audience). I started The Cuckoo's Calling and seemed to have been reading for about 2 hours and had only reached page 25.

My in-laws raved about the Stieg Larsson books but I think I lasted about 20 pages. Confused

OP posts:
Janicejaniceahmfallin · 21/01/2020 20:03

Yy to James Patterson. Read one one of his and it was unbelievably lazy, appalling shite. Like someone bored out of their mind and just dialling in a formulaic collection of ‘thriller’ tropes hung on cardboard characters and a ridiculous plot. I subsequently heard that he doesn’t even write them, they’re hashed together by a bunch of hacks who churn them out on his behalf. Allegedly.

BeardedMum · 21/01/2020 20:03

Oh yes Elena Ferrante too. And Knausgaard 😴😴😴

Ohyesiam · 21/01/2020 20:02

I have a question of the Terry Pratchet dislikers. Do you like satire in general?

Op, I could never get on with pride and Prejudice till I saw it on telly at a formative age ( the white shirt version) and was lured into reading it. Now it’s my favourite bookSmile.

Original poster
Corneliawildthing · 21/01/2020 19:57

I haven't read any classics and felt a complete ignoramus in a workplace when everybody was discussing their favourite Brontes, Dickens and Austens. I had no idea who had written which books. I tried to read Pride and Prejudice but lasted 3 pages.

I tried to read Stuart MacBride as they're set in Aberdeen which I lived in for a while but just couldn't warm to them. I once got an American Amish trilogy which was recommended by a friend as being one of the best books she had ever read - it was beyond dire - why use 2 words when you can use 20

OP posts:
Sockypuppet · 21/01/2020 19:50

Joyce Carol Oates. I really want to like her but God so tedious.

Wearywithteens · 21/01/2020 19:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

weegiemum · 21/01/2020 19:47

Jasper Fforde. Been recommended them by several friends and never get past the first chapter before thinking "what a load of pretentious twaddle".

Also Dickens. That's boring.

And can't stand Jane Austen.

elaeocarpus · 21/01/2020 19:43

Philipa Gregory- i want to read/enjoy/learn for the history- they are just so badly written its painful

Nandocushion · 21/01/2020 19:43

Elena Ferrante

Lobsterquadrille2 · 21/01/2020 19:41

J K Rowling
Stephanie Meyer
Dan Brown
Jilly Cooper
James Patterson
Sidney Sheldon

TheLidoOfThighs · 21/01/2020 19:39

Reise yes it was definitely one of those books where I thought “but I’m meant to like this!”. It was How To Be Both.

TheLidoOfThighs · 21/01/2020 19:36

I read one of the Harry Potter books twice by accident. It wasn’t until I got to the end that I was like, “hang on a minute, I know what happens!”. I think I quite enjoyed it both times though. It’s like the Enid Blyton I read as a child. I don’t remember any of it but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 21/01/2020 19:35

I've read one Ali Smith Lido also widely read.

It was enough to put me off for life, although I have got one unread.

Relieved to see I am not alone as she is raved about critically.

LajesticVantrashell · 21/01/2020 19:34

Cecelia Ahearn. Blatantly only got a book deal because she's Bertie Ahearn's daughter...

TheLidoOfThighs · 21/01/2020 19:34

I liked Sophie Hannah as a poet. Never read any of her novels.

Frenchw1fe · 21/01/2020 19:33

Jk Rowling Harry Potter books. My dd said I should read them. I read the first 4 and I cannot remember anything about them except her paragraphs go on and on.
To me they're like a Chinese meal, one burp and it's gone.
Kudos to the woman though, she's done a brilliant job with children's reading.

BeardedMum · 21/01/2020 19:33

David Walliams
JoJo Moyes

Nymerialuna · 21/01/2020 19:32

I'm a bit of a book whore and will read anything except Anne Rice. I just glaze over and dont take anything in. I managed 1 book in my very late teens but it was hard work. Tried another couple about 10 yers later but could not get into them at all. Realised life it too short and there are too many books out there to struggle with any I don't like.
For those that said Terry Pratchett, you need to find the right starter book, which certainly isnt the first 4 or 5! My first was Witches Abroad was sparked off my love for his works but it I had started with Colour of Magic, Equal Rites or even Wyrd Sisters I think I would have given up.

Lunaballoon · 21/01/2020 19:32

YY to Ian McEwan and Sophie Hannah. I just don’t get the hype.

TheLidoOfThighs · 21/01/2020 19:31

David Nicholls. He of One Day and whatever the other one was called.

Not quite the same level of popularity, but Ali Smith. Read one on a holiday with a friend who is very widely read. Offered it to her when I’d finished. “Ali Smith? No thanks”, she said!

In terms of recent hype, the first Sally Rooney book. I mean it was fine, but not quite the masterpiece it was billed to be.

chumbawum · 21/01/2020 19:29

I don't get Terry Pratchett either.

Nor Neil Gaiman.

Disfordarkchocolate · 21/01/2020 19:28

Davis Walliams - unoriginal and poorly plotted.

Lee Child - poorly written.

WokeJokeOpus · 21/01/2020 19:26

Sophie Hannah
Paula Hawkins

  • can’t see the pleasure in them, they seem so badly plotted and edited.
ShowOfHands · 21/01/2020 19:26

David Walliams. He is devoid of talent, ideas, a decent editor, humanity, warmth etc. Nothing redeeming about his books at all.

AllStar14 · 21/01/2020 19:24

Lee Child. I honestly don't get the Jack Reacher hype!

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